5-heterocyclylalkyl-3-hydroxy-2-phenylcyclopent-2-enones as herbicides

ABSTRACT

Compounds of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim  1 , are suitable for use as herbicides.

The present invention relates to novel, herbicidally active cyclic diones, and derivatives thereof, to processes for their preparation, to compositions comprising those compounds, and to their use in controlling weeds, especially in crops of useful plants, or in inhibiting undesired plant growth.

Cyclic diones compounds having herbicidal action are described, for example, in WO01/74770 and WO96/03366.

Novel cyclopentadione compounds, and derivatives thereof, having herbicidal and growth-inhibiting properties have now been found.

The present invention accordingly relates to compounds of formula (I)

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, halomethyl, haloethyl, halogen, vinyl, ethynyl, methoxy, ethoxy, halomethoxy, haloethoxy, cyclopropyl or halocyclopropyl, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl or cyano, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁹ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, or benzyl or benzyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, or C₃-C₆cycloalkylC₁-C₃alkyl in which a ring or chain methylene group is optionally replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or R⁶ and R⁷ or R⁸ and R⁹ together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered ring, optionally containing an oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atom, or R⁵ and R⁶ together form a bond, Q is C₃-C₈ saturated or mono-unsaturated heterocyclyl containing at least one heteroatom selected from O, N and S, unsubstituted or substituted by a residue of formula ═O, ═N—R¹⁰ or C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxyC₁-C₂alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, where R¹⁰ is C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl, m is 1, 2 or 3, where R⁶ or R⁷ can have different meanings when m is 2 or 3, and G is hydrogen or an agriculturally acceptable metal, sulfonium, ammonium or latentiating group.

In the substituent definitions of the compounds of the formula I, each alkyl moiety either alone or as part of a larger group (such as alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl and dialkylaminocarbonyl is a straight or branched chain and is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or neopentyl. The alkyl groups are suitably C₁-C₆ alkyl groups, but are preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl groups, and, more preferably, C₁-C₂alkyl groups. Alkenyl and alkynyl moieties can be in the form of straight or branched chains, and the alkenyl moieties, where appropriate, can be of either the (E)- or (Z)-configuration. Examples are vinyl, allyl and propargyl. Alkenyl and alkynyl moieties can contain one or more double and/or triple bonds in any combination. It is understood, that allenyl and alkylinylalkenyl are included in these terms.

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Haloalkyl groups are alkyl groups which are substituted with one or more of the same or different halogen atoms and are, for example, CF₃, CF₂Cl, CF₂H, CCl₂H, FCH₂, ClCH₂, BrCH₂, CH₃CHF, (CH₃)₂CF, CF₃CH₂ or CHF₂CH₂.

The term “heteroaryl” preferably refers to an aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom and consisting either of a single ring or of two or more fused rings. Preferably, single rings will contain up to three and bicyclic systems up to four heteroatoms which will preferably be chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Examples of such groups include furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,2,3-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, benzofuryl, benzisofuryl, benzothienyl, benzisothienyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, benzotriazinyl, purinyl, pteridinyl and indolizinyl.

Preferred examples of heteroaromatic radicals include pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, thienyl, furyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, 2,1,3-benzoxadiazolyl and thiazolyl.

Another group of preferred heteroaryls comprises furyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl or quinoxalinyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” preferably refers to a non-aromatic, preferably monocyclic or bicyclic ring systems containing up to 8 atoms including at least one (preferably one or two) heteroatoms selected from O, S and N. Examples of such rings include 1,3-dithiane, 1,3-dioxane, 1,4-dioxane, morpholine, thiomorpholin, piperazine, tetrahydropyran, piperidine, thiane, 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, pirolidine, imidazoline, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, aziridine, epoxide and thiirane.

Preferred examples of heterocyclic radicals include 1,3-dioxane, morpholine, thiomorpholin, tetrahydropyran, 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrothiophene

Cycloalkyl includes preferably cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

For substituted heterocyclyl groups such as the rings formed by R⁶ and R⁷, and R⁸ and R⁹, respectively, it is preferred that one or more substituents are independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, nitro and cyano. It is to be understood that dialkylamino substituents include those where the dialkyl groups together with the N atom to which they are attached form a five, six or seven-membered heterocyclic ring which may contain one or two further heteroatoms selected from O, N or S and which is optionally substituted by one or two independently selected C₁-C₆alkyl groups. When heterocyclic rings are formed by joining two groups on an N atom, the resulting rings are suitably pyrrolidine, piperidine, thiomorpholine and morpholine each of which may be substituted by one or two independently selected C₁-C₆alkyl groups.

The invention relates also to the salts which the compounds of formula I are able to form with amines, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal bases or quaternary ammonium bases. Among the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides as salt formers, special mention should be made of the hydroxides of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, but especially the hydroxides of sodium and potassium. The compounds of formula I according to the invention also include hydrates which may be formed during the salt formation.

Examples of amines suitable for ammonium salt formation include ammonia as well as primary, secondary and tertiary C₁-C₁₈alkylamines, C₁-C₄hydroxyalkylamines and C₂-C₄-alkoxyalkylamines, for example methylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, isopropylamine, the four butylamine isomers, n-amylamine, isoamylamine, hexylamine, heptylamine, octyl-amine, nonylamine, decylamine, pentadecylamine, hexadecylamine, heptadecylamine, octadecylamine, methylethylamine, methylisopropylamine, methylhexylamine, methyl-nonylamine, methylpentadecylamine, methyloctadecylamine, ethylbutylamine, ethylheptyl-amine, ethyloctylamine, hexylheptylamine, hexyloctylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, di-n-propylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, di-n-amylamine, diisoamylamine, dihexylamine, diheptylamine, dioctylamine, ethanolamine, n-propanolamine, isopropanolamine, N,N-diethanolamine, N-ethylpropanolamine, N-butylethanolamine, allylamine, n-but-2-enylamine, n-pent-2-enylamine, 2,3-dimethylbut-2-enylamine, dibut-2-enylamine, n-hex-2-enylamine, propylenediamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, triisopropylamine, tri-n-butylamine, triisobutylamine, tri-sec-butylamine, tri-n-amylamine, methoxyethylamine and ethoxyethylamine; heterocyclic amines, for example pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, indoline, quinuclidine and azepine; primary arylamines, for example anilines, methoxyanilines, ethoxyanilines, o-, m- and p-toluidines, phenylenediamines, benzidines, naphthylamines and o-, m- and p-chloroanilines; but especially triethylamine, isopropylamine and diisopropylamine.

Preferred quaternary ammonium bases suitable for salt formation correspond, for example, to the formula [N(R_(a) R_(b) R_(c) R_(d))]OH wherein R_(a), R_(b), R_(c) and R_(d) are each independently of the others C₁-C₄alkyl. Further suitable tetraalkylammonium bases with other anions can be obtained, for example, by anion exchange reactions.

Agriculturally acceptable metals are alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ions, for example sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions, and transition metal ions, for example copper and iron atoms. Suitable ammonium ions are NH₄ ⁺, alkylammonium, dialkylammonium, triakylammonium and tetraalkylammonium ions. Suitable sulfonium ions are trialkylsulfonium ions, for example trimethylsulfonium ions.

It should be understood that in those compounds of formula I, where G is a metal, ammonium or sulfonium as mentioned above and as such represents a cation, the corresponding negative charge is largely delocalised across the O—C═C—C═O unit.

The latentiating groups G are selected to allow its removal by one or a combination of biochemical, chemical or physical processes to afford compounds of formula I where G is H before, during or following application to the treated area or plants. Examples of these processes include enzymatic cleavage, chemical hydrolysis and photoloysis. Compounds bearing such groups G may offer certain advantages, such as improved penetration of the cuticula of the plants treated, increased tolerance of crops, improved compatibility or stability in formulated mixtures containing other herbicides, herbicide safeners, plant growth regulators, fungicides or insecticides, or reduced leaching in soils.

The latentiating group G is preferably selected from the groups C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkyl, phenylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈ alkynyl, C(X^(a))—R^(a), C(X)—X^(c)—R^(b), C(X^(d))—N(R^(c))—R^(d), —SO₂—R^(e), —P(X^(e))(R^(f))—R^(g) or CH₂—X^(f)—R^(h) wherein X^(a), X^(b), X^(c), X^(d), X^(e) and X^(f) are independently of each other oxygen or sulfur;

R^(a) is H, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₂-C₁₈alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynylC₁-C₅oxyalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₆alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl, (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, R^(b) is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkynyl, C₂-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl, (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₃-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, R^(c) and R^(d) are each independently of each other hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₃-C₁₀alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀alkynyl, C₂-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₂-C₅alkylaminoalkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl, (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro, diphenylamino or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino or C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy or R^(c) and R^(d) may join together to form a 3-7 membered ring, optionally containing one heteroatom selected from O or S, R^(e) is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro, heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro, diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, diphenylamino, or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, diC₃-C₇cycloalkylamino or C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₅alkylamino or C₂-C₈dialkylamino, R^(f) and R^(g) are are each independently of each other C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₂-C₅alkylaminoalkyl, C₃-C₈trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro, heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro, diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, diphenylamino, or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, diC₃-C₇cycloalkylamino or C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₅alkylamino or C₂-C₈dialkylamino, benzyloxy or phenoxy, wherein the benzyl and phenyl groups may in turn be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro, and R^(h) is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₃-C₁₀alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), phenoxyC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroaryloxyC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), C₃-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen or by nitro, or heteroaryl, or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro.

In particular, the latentiating group G is a group —C(X^(a))—R^(a) or —C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), and the meanings of X^(a), R^(a), X^(b), X^(c) and R^(b) are as defined above.

It is preferred that G is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, where hydrogen is especially preferred.

Depending on the nature of the substituents, compounds of formula (I) may exist in different isomeric forms. When G is hydrogen, for example, compounds of formula (I) may exist in different tautomeric forms:

This invention covers all such isomers and tautomers and mixtures thereof in all proportions. Also, when substituents contain double bonds, cis- and trans-isomers can exist. These isomers, too, are within the scope of the claimed compounds of the formula (I).

In a preferred group of compounds of the formula (I), R¹ is methyl, ethyl or methoxy.

Preferably, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, cyano, nitro, halogen or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, and, more preferably, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, methyl, methoxy, ethyl, ethoxy, ethenyl, ethynyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, fluorine, chlorine or methylsulfonyl.

In another group of preferred compounds of formula (I), R² and R³ are independently thienyl, thienyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, furyl, furyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, thiazolyl, thiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, oxazolyl, oxazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, isoxazolyl, isoxazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, triazolyl, triazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, oxadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, thiadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, tetrazolyl, tetrazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, pyridyl, pyridyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrimidinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, pyridazinyl, pyridazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, pyrazinyl or pyrazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, triazinyl or triazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl.

Preferably, R³ is hydrogen.

Preferably, R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, halomethyl, haloethyl, halogen, vinyl, ethynyl, methoxy, ethoxy, halomethoxy or haloethoxy, and more preferably R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, chlorine, bromine, ethenyl, ethynyl, methoxy or ethoxy.

Preferably, R¹, R² and R⁴ are methyl and R³ is hydrogen.

In another preferred group of the compounds of the formula (I), R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, and, more preferably, R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula (I), R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, and, more preferably, R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogen or methyl.

In another preferred group of the compounds of the formula (I) R⁸ and R⁹ independently are hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, and, more preferably, R⁸ and R⁹ independently are hydrogen or methyl.

Preferred saturated or mono-unsaturated rings Q are those of the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, R′ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylsulfonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylcarbonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylaminocarbonyl, C₇-C₁₆arylalkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylsulfonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylcarbonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₁₅hetarylalkylaminocarbonyl, R″ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl, n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and A denotes the position of attachment to the —(CR⁶R⁷)_(m)— moiety.

Groups Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, Q₆, Q₇, Q₂₅, Q₂₆, Q₂₇, Q₂₈, Q₂₉, Q₈₆, Q₈₇, Q₈₈, Q₈₉, Q₉₀ are more preferred, and groups Q₁ to Q₇ are particularly preferred.

Preferably, R and R′ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄haloalkoxy, and R″ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄haloalkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl.

Preferably, n is 0, 1 and 2.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula (I), m is 1 or 2 and most preferably m is 1.

Certain compounds of formula (I) are alkenes, and as such undergo further reactions typical of alkenes to give additional compounds of formula (I) according to known procedures. Example of such reaction include, but are not restricted to, halogenation or hydrogenation

wherein R⁵ and R⁶ form a bond

Compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁵ and R⁶ form a bond and R⁷ is halogen (preferably chloride or bromide) or R⁷ is C₁-C₆alkylsulfonate (preferably mesylate) or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonate (preferably triflate) or an arylsulfonate (preferable tosylate) may undergo a cross-coupling reaction with a suitable coupling partner under conditions described in the literature for Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira and related cross-coupling reactions to give additional compounds of formula (I) (see, for example, O'Brien, C. J. and Organ, M. G. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2007), 46, 2768-2813; Suzuki, A. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry (2002), 653, 83; Miyaura N. and Suzuki, A. Chem. Rev. (1995), 95, 2457-2483).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that compounds of formula (I) may contain a aromatic moiety bearing one or more substituents capable of being transformed into alternative substituents under known conditions, and that these compounds may themselves serve as intermediates in the preparation of additional compounds of formula (I).

For example, compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ is alkenyl or alkynyl, may be reduced to compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ is alkyl under known conditions and compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹, R², R³ or R⁴ is halogen, preferably bromide or iodine, may undergo a cross-coupling reaction with a suitable coupling partner under conditions described in the literature for Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira and related cross-coupling reactions to give additional compounds of formula (I) (see, for example, O'Brien, C. J. and Organ, M. G. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2007), 46, 2768-2813; Suzuki, A. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry (2002), 653, 83; Miyaura N. and Suzuki, A. Chem. Rev. (1995), 95, 2457-2483).

Compounds of formula (I) wherein G is C₁-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₈haloalkyl, phenylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the phenyl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsufinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl may optionally be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsufinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈alkynyl, C(X^(a))—R^(a), C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), C(X^(d))—N(R^(c))—R^(d), —SO₂—R^(e), —P(X^(e))(R^(f))—R^(g) or CH₂—X^(f)—R^(h) where X^(a), X^(b), X^(c), X^(d), X^(e), X^(f), R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g) and R^(h) are as defined above may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (A), which are compounds of formula (I) wherein G is H, with a reagent G-Z, wherein G-Z is alkylating agent such as an alkyl halide (the definition of alkyl halides includes simple C₁-C₈alkyl halides such as methyl iodide and ethyl iodide, substituted alkyl halides such as chloromethyl alkyl ethers, Cl—CH₂—X^(f)—R^(h), wherein X^(f) is oxygen, and chloromethyl alkyl sulfides Cl—CH₂—X^(f)—R^(h), wherein X^(f) is sulfur), a C₁-C₈alkyl sulfonate, or a di-C₁-C₈alkyl sulfate, or with a C₃-C₈alkenyl halide, or with a C₃-C₈alkynyl halide, or with an acylating agent such as a carboxylic acid, HO—C(X^(a))R^(a), wherein X^(a) is oxygen, an acid chloride, Cl—C(X^(a))R^(a), wherein X^(a) is oxygen, or acid anhydride, [R^(a)C(X^(a))]₂O, wherein X^(a) is oxygen, or an isocyanate, R^(c)N═C═O, or a carbamoyl chloride, Cl—C(X^(d))—N(R^(c))—R^(d) (wherein X^(d) is oxygen and with the proviso that neither R^(c) nor R^(d) is hydrogen), or a thiocarbamoyl chloride Cl—C(X^(d))—N(R^(c))—R^(d) (wherein X^(d) is sulfur and with the proviso that neither R^(c) nor R^(d) is hydrogen) or a chloroformate, Cl—C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), (wherein X^(b) and X^(c) are oxygen), or a chlorothioformate Cl—C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b) (wherein X^(b) is oxygen and X^(c) is sulfur), or a chlorodithioformate Cl—C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), (wherein X^(b) and X^(c) are sulfur), or an isothiocyanate, R^(c)N═C═S, or by sequential treatment with carbon disulfide and an alkylating agent, or with a phosphorylating agent such as a phosphoryl chloride, Cl—P(X^(e))(R^(f))—R^(g) or with a sulfonylating agent such as a sulfonyl chloride Cl—SO₂—R^(e), preferably in the presence of at least one equivalent of base.

Isomeric compounds of formula (I) may be formed. For example, compounds of formula (A) may give rise to two isomeric compounds of formula (I), or to isomeric mixtures of compounds of formula (I). This invention covers both isomeric compounds of formula (I), together with mixtures of these compounds in any ratio.

The O-alkylation of cyclic 1,3-diones is known; suitable methods are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,666. Alternative procedures have been reported by Pizzorno, M. T. and Albonico, S. M. Chem. Ind. (London) (1972), 425; Born, H. et al. J. Chem. Soc. (1953), 1779; Constantino, M. G. et al. Synth. Commun. (1992), 22 (19), 2859; Tian, Y. et al. Synth. Commun. (1997), 27 (9), 1577; Chandra Roy, S. et al., Chem. Lett. (2006), 35 (1), 16; Zubaidha, P. K. et al. Tetrahedron Lett. (2004), 45, 7187 and by Zwanenburg, B. et al. Tetrahedron (2005), 45 (22), 7109.

The acylation of cyclic 1,3-diones may be effected by procedures similar to those described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,547, U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,135, U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,870, U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,372 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,666. Typically diones of formula (A) may be treated with the acylating agent in the presence of at least one equivalent of a suitable base, optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent. The base may be inorganic, such as an alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide, or a metal hydride, or an organic base such as a tertiary amine or metal alkoxide. Examples of suitable inorganic bases include sodium carbonate, sodium or potassium hydroxide, sodium hydride, and suitable organic bases include trialkylamines, such as trimethylamine and triethylamine, pyridines or other amine bases such as 1,4-diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. Preferred bases include triethylamine and pyridine. Suitable solvents for this reaction are selected to be compatible with the reagents and include ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and 1,2-dimethoxyethane and halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform. Certain bases, such as pyridine and triethylamine, may be employed successfully as both base and solvent. For cases where the acylating agent is a carboxylic acid, acylation is preferably effected in the presence of a coupling agent such as 2-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide and N,N′-carbodiimidazole, and optionally a base such as triethylamine or pyridine in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or acetonitrile. Suitable procedures are described, for example, by Zhang, W. and Pugh, G. Tetrahedron Lett. (1999), 40 (43), 7595 and Isobe, T. and Ishikawa, T. J. Org. Chem. (1999), 64 (19) 6984.

Phosphorylation of cyclic-1,3-diones may be effected using a phosphoryl halide or thiophosphoryl halide and a base by procedures analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,153. Sulfonylation of compounds of formula (A) may be achieved using an alkyl or aryl sulfonyl halide, preferably in the presence of at least one equivalent of base, for example by the procedure of Kowalski, C. J. and Fields, K. W. J. Org. Chem. (1981), 46, 197.

Compounds of formula (A) may be prepared from a compounds of formula (I) by hydrolysis, preferably in the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric acid and optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or acetone preferably between 25° C. and 150° C. under conventional heating or under microwave irradiation.

In a further approach, compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by the cyclisation of a compound of formula (B) or a compound of formula (C), wherein R′″ is hydrogen or an alkyl group, preferably in the presence of an acid or base, and optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent, by analogous methods to those described by T. N. Wheeler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,532. Compounds of formula (B) or compounds of formula (C) wherein R′″ is hydrogen may be cyclised under acidic conditions, preferably in the presence of a strong acid such as sulfuric acid, polyphosphoric acid or Eaton's reagent, optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent such as acetic acid, toluene or dichloromethane.

Compounds of formula (B) or compounds of formula (C) wherein R′″ is alkyl (preferably methyl or ethyl), may be cyclised under acidic or basic conditions, preferably in the presence of at least one equivalent of a strong base such as potassium tert-butoxide, lithium diisopropylamide or sodium hydride and in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, toluene, dimethylsulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide.

Compounds of formula (B) and compounds of formula (C), wherein R′″ is H, may be esterified to, respectively, compounds of formula (B) and compounds of formula (C), wherein R′″ is alkyl, under standard conditions, for example by heating with an alkyl alcohol, ROH, in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Compounds of formula (B) and compounds of formula (C), wherein R′″ is H, may be prepared, respectively, by saponification of a compounds of formula (D) and compounds of formula (E) wherein R′″″ is alkyl (preferably methyl or ethyl), under standard conditions, followed by acidification of the reaction mixture to effect decarboxylation, by similar processes to those described, for example, by T. N. Wheeler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,532.

Compounds of formula (D) and compounds of formula (E), wherein R″″ is alkyl, may be prepared by treating, respectively, compounds of formula (F) with suitable carboxylic acid chlorides of formula (G) or suitable carboxylic acid chlorides of formula (H) under basic conditions. Suitable bases include potassium tert-butoxide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and lithium diisopropylamide and the reaction is preferably conducted in a suitable solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene) at a temperature of between −80° C. and 30° C. Alternatively, compounds of formula (D) and compounds of formula (E), wherein R″″ is H, may be prepared by treating a compound of formula (F) with a suitable base (such as potassium tert-butoxide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and lithium diisopropylamide) in a suitable solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene) at a suitable temperature (between −80° C. and 30° C.) and reacting the resulting anion with a suitable anhydride of formula (J):

Compounds of formula (F) are known compounds, or may be prepared from known compounds by known methods.

Compounds of formula (J) may be prepared, for example, by analogous methods to those described by Ballini, R. et al. Synthesis (2002), (5), 681-685; Bergmeier, S. C. and Ismail, K. A. Synthesis (2000), (10), 1369-1371; Groutas, W. C. et al. J. Med. Chem. (1989), 32 (7), 1607-11 and Bernhard, K. and Lincke, H. Helv. Chim. Acta (1946), 29, 1457-1466.

Compounds of formula (G) or compounds of formula (H) may be prepared from a compound of formula (J) by treatment with an alkyl alcohol, R′″—OH, in the presence of a base, such as dimethylaminopyridine or an alkaline metal alkoxide (see, for example, Buser, S, and Vasella, A. Helv. Chim. Acta, (2005), 88, 3151 and M. Hart et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Letters, (2004), 14, 1969), followed by treatment of the resulting acid with a chlorinating reagent such as oxalyl chloride or thionyl chloride under known conditions (see, for example, Santelli-Rouvier. C. Tetrahedron Lett. (1984), 25 (39), 4371; Walba D. and Wand, M. Tetrahedron Lett. (1982), 23 (48), 4995; Cason, J. Org. Synth. Coll. Vol. III, (169), 1955).

Compounds of formula (G) and compounds of formula (H) may be made from known compounds by known methods. For example, analogous methods to obtain compounds of formula (G) and compounds of formula (H) are described by Bergmeier, S. C. and Ismail, K. A. Synthesis (2000), (10), 1369-1371.

In an further approach to compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (K) with compounds of formula (L) wherein LG is a leaving group such as halogen (preferably iodide or bromide) or an activated alcohol (preferably mesylate or tosylate) under basic conditions. Suitable bases include lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, potassium tert-butoxide and the reaction is preferably conducted in a suitable solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran) at a temperature between −80° C. and 30° C.

Compounds of formula (L) are known, or may be made known compounds by known methods (see for example: WO2006016178; Ueno, H. et al. J. Med. Chem. (2005), 48(10), 3586-3604; Kanoh, S. et al. Tetrahedron (2002), 58(35), 7049-7064; Strachan, J.-P. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2006), 71(26), 9909-9911).

Compounds of formula (K) are known compounds or may be made from known compounds by known methods (see, for example, Song, Y. S. S. et al. Tetrahedron Lett. (2005), 46 (46), 5987-5990; Kuethe, J. T. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2002), 67(17), 5993-6000).

Alternatively, compounds of formula (K) wherein G is C₁-C₆alkyl may be prepared by alkylation of compounds of formula (K), wherein G is hydrogen under known conditions or by known methods (see, for example, Eberhardt, U. et al. Chem. Ber. (1983), 116 (1), 119-135).

Compounds of formula (K), wherein G is hydrogen, are known, or may be prepared from known compounds by known methods (see, for example, Nguyen, H. N. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2003), 125 (39), 11818-11819; Bonjoch, J. et al. Tetrahedron (2001), 57(28), 6011-6017; Fox, J. M. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2000), 122(7), 1360-1370; U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,122; U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,348).

Alternatively, compounds of formula (I) where R⁵ and R⁶ form a bond can be prepared from compounds of formula (M) by known methods (see for example Nagaoka, H. et al. Tetrahedron Letters (1985), 26 (41), 5053-5056; Nagaoka, H. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1986), 108 (16), 5019-5021; Zuki, M. et al. Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan (1988), 61(4), 1299-1312; Enholm, E. J. et al. J. Org. Chem. (1996), 61 (16), 5384-5390; Clive, D. L. J. et al. Tetrahedron (2001), 57 (18), 3845-3858; Bartoli, G. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2002), 67 (25), 9111-9114. Jung, M. E. et al. Chem. Comm. (2003), (2), 196-197; EP1433772; JP2004203844; IN194295)

Compounds of formula (M) may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (K) (in which R⁵ is hydrogen) with compounds of formula (N) under basic conditions. Suitable bases include lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, potassium tert-butoxide and the reaction is preferably conducted in a suitable solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran) at a temperature between −80° C. and 30° C.

Compounds of formula (N) are known, or may be made from known compounds by known methods.

Compounds of formula (I) (wherein G is C₁-C₄alkyl) may be prepared by reacting a compounds of formula (O) (wherein G is C₁-C₄alkyl, and Hal is a halogen, preferably bromine or iodine), with aryl boronic acids, Ar—B(OH)₂ of formula (P) or aryl boronate esters in the presence of a suitable palladium catalyst (for example 0.001-50% palladium(II) acetate with respect to compound (O)) and a base (for example 1 to 10 equivalents potassium phosphate with respect to compound (O)) and preferably in the presence of a suitable ligand (for example 0.001-50% (2-dicyclohexylphosphino)-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl with respect to compound (O)), and in a suitable solvent (for example toluene or 1,2-dimethoxyethane), preferably between 25° C. and 200° C. under conventional heating or under microwave irradiation (see, for example, Song, Y. S. S. et al. Tetrahedron Lett. (2005), 46 (46), 5987-5990; Kuethe, J. T. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2002), 67(17), 5993-6000).

Compounds of formula (O) may be prepared by halogenating compounds of formula (Q), followed by alkylation of the resulting halide of formula (R) with a C₁-C₄alkyl halide or tri-C₁-C₄alkylorthoformate under known conditions, for example by the procedures of Shepherd R. G. et al. J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1 (1987), 2153-2155 and Lin Y.-L. et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. (2002), 10, 685-690. Alternatively, compounds of formula (O) may be prepared by alkylating a compound of formula (Q) with a C₁₋₄ alkyl halide or a tri-C₁₋₄-alkylorthoformate, and halogenating the resulting enone of formula (S) under known conditions (see for example Song, Y. S. et al. Tetrahedron Lett. (2005), 46 (36), 5987-5990; Kuethe, J. T. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2002), 67(17), 5993-6000; Belmont, D. T. et al. J. Org. Chem. 1985, 50 (21), 4102-4107).

Compounds of formula (S) may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (T) with compounds of formula (L) wherein LG is a leaving group such as halogen (preferably iodide or bromide) or an activated alcohol (preferably mesylate or tosylate) under basic conditions. Suitable bases include lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, potassium tert-butoxide and the reaction is preferably conducted in a suitable solvent (such as tetrahydrofuran) at a temperature between −80° C. and 30° C. (see, for example, Gulias, M. et al. Org. Lett. (2003), 5(11), 1975-1977; Altenbach, R. J. et al. J. Med. Chem. (2006), 49 (23), 6869-6887; Snowden, R. L. Tetrahedron (1986), 42 (12), 3277-90; Oppolzer, W. et al. Helv. Chim. Acta (1980), 63 (4), 788-92; Mellor, M. et al. Synth. Commun. 1979, 9 (1), 1-4).

Compounds of formula (T) are known, or may be made from known compounds by known methods.

Alternatively compounds of formula (S) where R⁵ and R⁶ from a bond can be prepared from compounds of formula (U) by known methods (see, for example, Nagaoka, H. et al. Tetrahedron Letters (1985), 26 (41), 5053-5056; Nagaoka, H. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1986), 108 (16), 5019-5021; Zuki, M. et al. Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan (1988), 61(4), 1299-1312; Enholm, E. J. et al. J. Org. Chem. (1996), 61 (16), 5384-5390; Clive, D. L. J. et al. Tetrahedron (2001), 57 (18), 3845-3858; Bartoli, G. et al. J. Org. Chem. (2002), 67 (25), 9111-9114. Jung, M. E. et al. Chem. Comm. (2003), (2), 196-197; EP1433772; JP2004203844; IN194295).

Compounds of formula (U) may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (T) with compounds of formula (N) under basic conditions. Suitable bases include lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, potassium tert-butoxide and the reaction is preferably conducted in a suitable (such as tetrahydrofuran) at a temperature between −80° C. and 30° C. (see, for example, Aleman, J. et al. Chem. Comm. (2007), (38), 3921-3923).

Compounds of formula (P) may be prepared from an aryl halide of formula (V), wherein Hal is bromine or iodine, by known methods (see, for example, Thompson W. et al. J. Org. Chem. (1984), 49, 5237 and R. Hawkins et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1960), 82, 3053). For example, an aryl halide of formula (V) may be treated with an alkyl lithium or alkyl magnesium halide in a suitable solvent, preferably diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature of between −80° C. and 30° C., and the aryl magnesium or aryl lithium reagent obtained may then be reacted with a trialkyl borate (preferably trimethylborate) to give an aryl dialkylboronate which may be hydrolysed to provide a boronic acid of formula (P) under acidic conditions.

Alternatively a compound of formula (V) may be reacted with a cyclic boronate ester derived from a 1,2- or a 1,3-alkanediol such as pinacol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol) under known conditions (see, for example, Miyaura N. et al. J. Org. Chem. (1995), 60, 7508, and Zhu W. et al. Org. Lett. (2006), 8 (2), 261), and the resulting boronate ester may be hydrolysed under acidic conditions to give a boronic acid of formula (P).

Aryl halides of formula (V) are known, or may be prepared from known compounds by known methods. For example, aryl halides of formula (V) may be prepared from anilines of formula (W) by known methods, for example the Sandmeyer reaction, via the corresponding diazonium salts.

Anilines of formula (W) are known compounds, or may be made from known compounds, by known methods.

Alternatively compounds of formula (V) can be made by halogenations of the corresponding known compounds, by known methods.

Compounds of formula (Q) may be prepared from compounds of formula (S) by hydrolysis, preferably in the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric acid and optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or acetone preferably between 25° C. and 150° C. under conventional heating or under microwave irradiation.

Alternatively, compounds of formula (Q) can be made from known compounds by known methods (see for example Manukina, T. A. et al. Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii (1986), 22(4), 873-4; Mellor, M. et al. Synth. Commun. 1979, 9 (1), 1-4).

In a further approach, compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (Q) with suitable aryl halides (such as aryl-iodides, aryl-bromides or aryl-chlorides), Ar—Hal of formula (V), or suitable C₁-C₆alkylsulfonates (preferably mesylate) or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonates (preferably triflate) or an arylsulfonates (preferable tosylate) in the presence of a suitable palladium catalyst (for example 0.001-50% palladium(II) acetate with respect to compounds of formula (Q)) and a base (for example 1 to 10 equivalents potassium phosphate with respect to compounds of formula (Q)) and preferably in the presence of a suitable ligand (for example 0.001-50% (2-dicyclohexylphosphino)-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl with respect to compounds of formula (Q)), and in a suitable solvent (for example dioxane or 1,2-dimethoxyethane), preferably between 25° C. and 200° C. Similar couplings are known in the literature (see for example, Belmont, D. T. et al. J. Org. Chem. 1985, 50 (21), 4102-4107; Fox, J. M. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2000), 122 (7), 1360-1370; B. Hong et al. WO 2005/000233). Alternatively, compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (Q) with suitable aryl halides (such as an aryl-iodides), Ar—Hal of formula (V), in the presence of a suitable copper catalyst (for example 0.001-50% copper(I) iodide with respect to compounds of formula (Q)) and a base (for example 1 to 10 equivalents potassium carbonate with respect to compounds of formula (Q)) and preferably in the presence of a suitable ligand (for example 0.001-50% L-proline with respect to compounds of formula (Q)), and in a suitable solvent (for example dimethylsulfoxide), preferably between 25° C. and 200° C. Similar couplings are known in the literature for aryl halides (see, for example, Jiang, Y. et al. Synlett (2005), 18, 2731-2734).

Additional compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (Q) with organolead reagents of formula (X) under conditions described, for example, by Pinhey, J. Pure and Appl. Chem. (1996), 68 (4), 819 and by Moloney M. et al. Tetrahedron Lett. (2002), 43, 3407.

The organolead reagent of formula (X) may be prepared from a boronic acid of formula (P), a stannane of formula (Y), wherein R′″″ is C₁-C₄ alkyl or by direct plumbation of a compound of formula (Z) with lead tetraacetate according to known procedures.

Further compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (Q) with suitable triarylbismuth compounds under conditions described, for example, by Fedorov, A. U. et al. Russ. Chem. Bull. Int. Ed. (2005), 54 (11), 2602 and by Koech P. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2004), 126 (17), 5350 and references therein.

Additional compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by reacting an iodonium ylide of formula (AA), wherein Ar is an optionally substituted phenyl group, and an aryl boronic acid of formula (P), in the presence of a suitable palladium catalyst, a base and in a suitable solvent.

Suitable palladium catalysts are generally palladium(II) or palladium(0) complexes, for example palladium(II) dihalides, palladium(II) acetate, palladium(II) sulfate, bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II) dichloride, bis(tricyclopentylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride, bis(tricyclohexyl-phosphine)palladium(II) dichloride, bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) or tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0). The palladium catalyst can also be prepared in situ from palladium(II) or palladium(0) compounds by complexing with the desired ligands, by, for example, combining the palladium(II) salt to be complexed, for example palladium(II) dichloride (PdCl₂) or palladium(II) acetate (Pd(OAc)₂), together with the desired ligand, for example triphenyl-phosphine (PPh₃), tricyclopentylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine, 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl or 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl and the selected solvent, with a compound of formula (AA), the arylboronic acid of formula (P), and a base. Also suitable are bidendate ligands, for example 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene or 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. By heating the reaction medium, the palladium(II) complex or palladium(0) complex desired for the C—C coupling reaction is thus formed in situ, and then initiates the C—C coupling reaction.

The palladium catalysts are used in an amount of from 0.001 to 50 mol %, preferably in an amount of from 0.1 to 15 mol %, based on the compound of formula (AA). The reaction may also be carried out in the presence of other additives, such as tetralkylammonium salts, for example, tetrabutylammonium bromide. Preferably the palladium catalyst is palladium acetate, the base is lithium hydroxide and the solvent is aqueous 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

A compound of formula (AA) may be prepared from a compound of formula (Q) by treatment with a hypervalent iodine reagent such as a (diacetoxy)iodobenzene or an iodosylbenzene and a base such as aqueous sodium carbonate, lithium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in a solvent such as water or an aqueous alcohol such as aqueous ethanol according to the procedures of Schank K. et al. Synthesis (1983), 392, Moriarty R. M. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1985), 107, 1375 or of Yang Z. et al. Org. Lett. (2002), 4 (19), 3333.

Additional compounds of formula (A) may be prepared by the pinacol rearrangement of compounds of formula (AB) or compounds of formula (AC) wherein R′″″″ is C₁-C₄ alkyl (preferably methyl) under acidic conditions (see, for example, Eberhardt, U. et. al. Chem. Ber. (1983), 116(1), 119-35 and Wheeler, T. N. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,348)

Compounds of formula (AB) and compounds of formula (AC) may be prepared by treating compounds of formula (AD) with compounds of formula (AE) in the presence of an acid (such as titanium tetrachloride or magnesium iodide) optionally in a suitable solvent (such as dichloromethane) at a temperature between −80° C. and 30° C. (see, for example, Li, W.-D. Z. and Zhang, X.-X. Org. Lett. (2002), 4(20), 3485-3488; Shimada, J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1984), 106(6), 1759-73; Eberhardt, U. et. al. Chem. Ber. (1983), 116(1), 119-35 and Wheeler, T. N. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,348).

Compounds of formula (AD) are known or may be made by known methods from compounds of formula (V) or compounds of formula (Z).

Compounds of formula (AE) may be prepared from compounds of formula (AF) where in R′″ is an alkyl group (preferably methyl) in the presence of chloro tri-C₁-C₄alkyl silyl and a metal (preferably sodium) in a suitable solvent (such as toluene or diethyl ether) at a temperature between 20° C. and 150° C. (see, for example, Blanchard, A. N. and Burnell, D. J. Tetrahedron Lett. (2001), 42(29), 4779-4781 and Salaun, J. et al. Tetrahedron (1989), 45(10), 3151-62).

Compounds of formula (AF) are analogous to compounds of formula (H) and compounds of formula (G) and may be prepared by know methods analogous to those describe for compounds of formula (H) and compounds of formula (G).

Additional compounds of formula (I) may be prepared wherein R⁵ and R⁶ form a bond and R⁷R⁷ is C₁-C₆alkylsulfonate (preferably mesylate) or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonate (preferably triflate) or an arylsulfonate (preferable tosylate) may be prepared from compounds of formula (AG) following known procedures (Specklin et al. J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73(19), 7845-7848).

Compounds of formula (AG) may be prepared from compounds of formula (AH) under basic or acidic conditions. For example of a procedure see G. Quinkert et al. Helv. Chim. Acta, 1986, 69(3), 469-537.

Compounds of formula (AH) may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (K) wherein R⁵ is hydrogen with acids chloride of formula (AJ) in the presence of a base.

Compounds of formula (AJ) are known or may be made by known methods from known compounds.

Alternatively, compounds of formula (AG) can be prepared from compounds of formula (M) using known oxidative procedures (see for example D. B. Dess and J. C. Martin J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48 (22), 4155-4156).

The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention can be used as herbicides in unmodified form, as obtained in the synthesis, but they are generally formulated into herbicidal compositions in a variety of ways using formulation adjuvants, such as carriers, solvents and surface-active substances. The formulations can be in various physical forms, for example in the form of dusting powders, gels, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, water-dispersible tablets, effervescent compressed tablets, emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, oil flowables, aqueous dispersions, oily dispersions, suspoemulsions, capsule suspensions, emulsifiable granules, soluble liquids, water-soluble concentrates (with water or a water-miscible organic solvent as carrier), impregnated polymer films or in other forms known, for example, from the Manual on Development and Use of FAO Specifications for Plant Protection Products, 5th Edition, 1999. Such formulations can either be used directly or are diluted prior to use. Diluted formulations can be prepared, for example, with water, liquid fertilisers, micro-nutrients, biological organisms, oil or solvents.

The formulations can be prepared, for example, by mixing the active ingredient with formulation adjuvants in order to obtain compositions in the form of finely divided solids, granules, solutions, dispersions or emulsions. The active ingredients can also be formulated with other adjuvants, for example finely divided solids, mineral oils, vegetable oils, modified vegetable oils, organic solvents, water, surface-active substances or combinations thereof. The active ingredients can also be contained in very fine microcapsules consisting of a polymer. Microcapsules contain the active ingredients in a porous carrier. This enables the active ingredients to be released into their surroundings in controlled amounts (e.g. slow release). Microcapsules usually have a diameter of from 0.1 to 500 microns. They contain active ingredients in an amount of about from 25 to 95% by weight of the capsule weight. The active ingredients can be present in the form of a monolithic solid, in the form of fine particles in solid or liquid dispersion or in the form of a suitable solution. The encapsulating membranes comprise, for example, natural and synthetic gums, cellulose, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, polyester, polyamides, polyureas, polyurethane or chemically modified polymers and starch xanthates or other polymers that are known to the person skilled in the art in this connection. Alternatively it is possible for very fine microcapsules to be formed wherein the active ingredient is present in the form of finely divided particles in a solid matrix of a base substance, but in that case the microcapsule is not encapsulated.

The formulation adjuvants suitable for the preparation of the compositions according to the invention are known per se. As liquid carriers there may be used: water, toluene, xylene, petroleum ether, vegetable oils, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acid anhydrides, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2-butanone, butylenes carbonate, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl esters of acetic acid, diacetone alcohol, 1,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p-diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abietate, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,4-dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkylpyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethyl hexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, alpha-pinene, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropylbenzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxypropanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n-octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octylamine acetate, oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400), propionic acid, propyl lactate, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylenesulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and higher molecular weight alcohols, such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like. Water is generally the carrier of choice for the dilution of the concentrates. Suitable solid carriers are, for example, talc, titanium dioxide, pyrophyllite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, limestone, calcium carbonate, bentonite, calcium montomorillonite, cottonseed husks, wheatmeal, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, ground walnut shells, lignin and similar materials, as described, for example, in CFR 180.1001. (c) & (d).

A large number of surface-active substances can advantageously be used both in solid and in liquid formulations, especially in those formulations which can be diluted with a carrier prior to use. Surface-active substances may be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or polymeric and they may be used as emulsifiying, wetting or suspending agents or for other purposes. Typical surface-active substances include, for example, salts of alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate; salts of alkylarylsulfonates, such as calcium dodecyl-benzenesulfonate; alkylphenol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol ethoxylate; alcohol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts, such as sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and salts of mono- and di-alkyl phosphate esters; and also further substances described e.g. in “McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual”, MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood, New Jersey, 1981.

Further adjuvants which can usually be used in pesticidal formulations include crystallisation inhibitors, viscosity-modifying substances, suspending agents, dyes, anti-oxidants, foaming agents, light absorbers, mixing aids, anti-foams, complexing agents, neutralising or pH-modifying substances and buffers, corrosion-inhibitors, fragrances, wetting agents, absorption improvers, micronutrients, plasticisers, glidants, lubricants, dispersants, thickeners, anti-freezes, microbiocides, and also liquid and solid fertilisers.

The formulations may also comprise additional active substances, for example further herbicides, herbicide safeners, plant growth regulators, fungicides or insecticides The compositions according to the invention can additionally include an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a mineral oil, alkyl esters of such oils or mixtures of such oils and oil derivatives. The amount of oil additive used in the composition according to the invention is generally from 0.01 to 10%, based on the spray mixture. For example, the oil additive can be added to the spray tank in the desired concentration after the spray mixture has been prepared. Preferred oil additives comprise mineral oils or an oil of vegetable origin, for example rapeseed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil, emulsified vegetable oil, such as AMIGO® (Rhone-Poulenc Canada Inc.), alkyl esters of oils of vegetable origin, for example the methyl derivatives, or an oil of animal origin, such as fish oil or beef tallow. A preferred additive contains, for example, as active components essentially 80% by weight alkyl esters of fish oils and 15% by weight methylated rapeseed oil, and also 5% by weight of customary emulsifiers and pH modifiers. Especially preferred oil additives comprise alkyl esters of C₈-C₂₂ fatty acids, especially the methyl derivatives of C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acids, for example the methyl esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, being important. Those esters are known as methyl laurate (CAS-111-82-0), methyl palmitate (CAS-112-39-0) and methyl oleate (CAS-112-62-9). A preferred fatty acid methyl ester derivative is Emery® 2230 and 2231 (Cognis GmbH). Those and other oil derivatives are also known from the Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, 5th Edition, Southern Illinois University, 2000.

The application and action of the oil additives can be further improved by combining them with surface-active substances, such as non-ionic, anionic or cationic surfactants. Examples of suitable anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants are listed on pages 7 and 8 of WO 97/34485. Preferred surface-active substances are anionic surfactants of the dodecyl-benzylsulfonate type, especially the calcium salts thereof, and also non-ionic surfactants of the fatty alcohol ethoxylate type. Special preference is given to ethoxylated C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of from 5 to 40. Examples of commercially available surfactants are the Genapol types (Clariant AG). Also preferred are silicone surfactants, especially polyalkyl-oxide-modified heptamethyltrisiloxanes, which are commercially available e.g. as Silwet L-77®, and also perfluorinated surfactants. The concentration of surface-active substances in relation to the total additive is generally from 1 to 30% by weight. Examples of oil additives that consist of mixtures of oils or mineral oils or derivatives thereof with surfactants are Edenor ME SU®, Turbocharge® (Syngenta AG, CH) and Actipron® (BP Oil UK Limited, GB).

The said surface-active substances may also be used in the formulations alone, that is to say without oil additives.

Furthermore, the addition of an organic solvent to the oil additive/surfactant mixture can contribute to a further enhancement of action. Suitable solvents are, for example, Solvesso® (ESSO) and Aromatic Solvent® (Exxon Corporation). The concentration of such solvents can be from 10 to 80% by weight of the total weight. Such oil additives, which may be in admixture with solvents, are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,908. A commercially available oil additive disclosed therein is known by the name MERGE® (BASF Corporation). Further oil additives that are preferred according to the invention are SCORE® (Syngenta Crop Protection Canada) and Adigor® (Syngenta Crop Protection Canada).

In addition to the oil additives listed above, in order to enhance the activity of the compositions according to the invention it is also possible for formulations of alkylpyrrolidones, (e.g. Agrimax®) to be added to the spray mixture. Formulations of synthetic latices, such as, for example, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl compounds or poly-1-p-menthene (e.g. Bond®, Courier® or Emerald®) can also be used. Solutions that contain propionic acid, for example Eurogkem Pen-e-trate®, can also be mixed into the spray mixture as activity-enhancing agents.

The herbicidal formulations generally contain from 0.1 to 99% by weight, especially from 0.1 to 95% by weight, of a compound of formula I and from 1 to 99.9% by weight of a formulation adjuvant, which preferably includes from 0 to 25% by weight of a surface-active substance. Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

The rate of application of the compounds of formula I may vary within wide limits and depends upon the nature of the soil, the method of application (pre- or post-emergence; seed dressing; application to the seed furrow; no tillage application etc.), the crop plant, the weed or grass to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method of application, the time of application and the target crop. The compounds of formula I according to the invention are generally applied at a rate of 1-2000 g/ha, preferably 1-1000 g/ha and most preferably at 1-500 g/ha.

Preferred formulations have especially the following compositions:

(%=percent by weight):

Emulsifiable Concentrates:

active ingredient: 1 to 95%, preferably 60 to 90% surface-active agent: 1 to 30%, preferably 5 to 20% liquid carrier: 1 to 80%, preferably 1 to 35%

Dusts:

active ingredient: 0.1 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5% solid carrier: 99.9 to 90%, preferably 99.9 to 99%

Suspension Concentrates:

active ingredient: 5 to 75%, preferably 10 to 50% water: 94 to 24%, preferably 88 to 30% surface-active agent: 1 to 40%, preferably 2 to 30%

Wettable Powders:

active ingredient: 0.5 to 90%, preferably 1 to 80% surface-active agent: 0.5 to 20%, preferably 1 to 15% solid carrier: 5 to 95%, preferably 15 to 90%

Granules:

active ingredient: 0.1 to 30%, preferably 0.1 to 15% solid carrier: 99.5 to 70%, preferably 97 to 85%

The following Examples further illustrate, but do not limit, the invention.

F1. Emulsifiable concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient 5% 10% 25% 50% calcium dodecylbenzene- 6%  8%  6%  8% sulfonate castor oil polyglycol ether 4% —  4%  4% (36 mol of ethylene oxide) octylphenol polyglycol ether —  4% —  2% (7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) NMP — — 10% 20% arom. hydrocarbon 85%  78% 55% 16% mixture C₉-C₁₂

Emulsions of any desired concentration can be prepared from such concentrates by dilution with water.

F2. Solutions a) b) c) d) active ingredient  5% 10% 50% 90% 1-methoxy-3-(3-methoxy- — 20% 20% — propoxy)-propane polyethylene glycol MW 400 20% 10% — — NMP — — 30% 10% arom. hydrocarbon 75% 60% — — mixture C₉-C₁₂

The solutions are suitable for application in the form of microdrops.

F3. Wettable powders a) b) c) d) active ingredient 5% 25%  50%  80% sodium lignosulfonate 4% — 3% — sodium lauryl sulfate 2% 3% —  4% sodium diisobutylnaphthalene- — 6% 5%  6% sulfonate octylphenol polyglycol ether — 1% 2% — (7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) highly disperse silicic acid 1% 3% 5% 10% kaolin 88%  62%  35%  —

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, yielding wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of any desired concentration.

F4. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient 0.1% 5% 15% highly disperse silicic acid 0.9% 2%  2% inorg. carrier 99.0% 93%  83% (diameter 0.1-1 mm) e.g. CaCO₃ or SiO₂

The active ingredient is dissolved in methylene chloride, the solution is sprayed onto the carrier and the solvent is subsequently evaporated off in vacuo.

F5. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient 0.1% 5% 15% polyethylene glycol MW 200 1.0% 2%  3% highly disperse silicic acid 0.9% 1%  2% inorg. carrier 98.0% 92%  80% (diameter 0.1-1 mm) e.g. CaCO₃ or SiO₂

The finely ground active ingredient is applied uniformly, in a mixer, to the carrier moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granules are obtained in this manner.

F6. Extruder granules a) b) c) d) active ingredient 0.1% 3% 5% 15% sodium lignosulfonate 1.5% 2% 3%  4% carboxymethylcellulose 1.4% 2% 2%  2% kaolin 97.0% 93%  90%  79%

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants and the mixture is moistened with water. The resulting mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

F7. Dusts a) b) c) active ingredient 0.1%  1%  5% talcum 39.9% 49% 35% kaolin 60.0% 50% 60%

Ready-to-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carriers and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

F8. Suspension concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient 3% 10%  25%  50%  ethylene glycol 5% 5% 5% 5% nonylphenol polyglycol ether — 1% 2% — (15 mol of ethylene oxide) sodium lignosulfonate 3% 3% 4% 5% carboxymethylcellulose 1% 1% 1% 1% 37% aqueous formaldehyde 0.2%   0.2%   0.2%   0.2%   solution silicone oil emulsion 0.8%   0.8%   0.8%   0.8%   water 87%  79%  62%  38% 

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, yielding a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be prepared by dilution with water.

The invention relates also to a method for the selective control of grasses and weeds in crops of useful plants, and for non-selective weed control, which comprises treating the useful plants or the area under cultivation or the locus thereof with a compound of formula I. Crops of useful plants in which the compositions according to the invention can be used include especially cereals, in particular wheat and barley, rice, corn, rape, sugarbeet, sugarcane, soybean, cotton, sunflower, peanut and plantation crops.

The term “crops” is to be understood as also including crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides (for example ALS, GS, EPSPS, PPO and HPPD inhibitors) as a result of conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering. An example of a crop that has been rendered tolerant e.g. to imidazolinones, such as imazamox, by conventional methods of breeding is Clearfield® summer rape (Canola). Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides by genetic engineering methods include e.g. glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady® and LibertyLink®. The weeds to be controlled may be both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, such as, for example, Stellaria, Nasturtium, Agrostis, Digitaria, Avena, Setaria, Sinapis, Lolium, Solanum, Echinochloa, Scirpus, Monochoria, Sagittaria, Bromus, Alopecurus, Sorghum, Rottboellia, Cyperus, Abutilon, Sida, Xanthium, Amaranthus, Chenopodium, Ipomoea, Chrysanthemum, Galium, Viola and Veronica. Control of monocotyledonous weeds, in particular Agrostis, Avena, Setaria, Lolium, Echinochloa, Bromus, Alopecurus and Sorghum is very extensive.

Crops are also to be understood as being those which have been rendered resistant to harmful insects by genetic engineering methods, for example Bt maize (resistant to European corn borer), Bt cotton (resistant to cotton boll weevil) and also Bt potatoes (resistant to Colorado beetle). Examples of Bt maize are the Bt-176 maize hybrids of NK® (Syngenta Seeds). The Bt toxin is a protein that is formed naturally by Bacillus thuringiensis soil bacteria. Examples of toxins and transgenic plants able to synthesise such toxins are described in EP-A-451 878, EP-A-374 753, WO 93/07278, WO 95/34656, WO 03/052073 and EP-A-427 529. Examples of transgenic plants that contain one or more genes which code for an insecticidal resistance and express one or more toxins are KnockOut® (maize), Yield Gard® (maize), NuCOTIN33B® (cotton), Bollgard® (cotton), NewLeaf® (potatoes), NatureGard® and Protexcta®. Plant crops and their seed material can be resistant to herbicides and at the same time also to insect feeding (“stacked” transgenic events). Seed can, for example, have the ability to express an insecticidally active Cry3 protein and at the same time be glyphosate-tolerant. The term “crops” is to be understood as also including crops obtained as a result of conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering which contain so-called output traits (e.g. improved flavour, storage stability, nutritional content).

Areas under cultivation are to be understood as including land where the crop plants are already growing as well as land intended for the cultivation of those crop plants.

The compounds of formula I according to the invention can also be used in combination with further herbicides. Preferably, in these mixtures, the compound of the formula I is one of those compounds listed in Tables 1 to 102 below. The following mixtures of the compound of formula I are especially important:

compound of formula I+acetochlor, compound of formula I+acifluorfen, compound of formula I+acifluorfen-sodium, compound of formula I+aclonifen, compound of formula I+acrolein, compound of formula I+alachlor, compound of formula I+alloxydim, compound of formula I+allyl alcohol, compound of formula I+ametryn, compound of formula I+amicarbazone, compound of formula I+amidosulfuron, compound of formula I+aminopyralid, compound of formula I+amitrole, compound of formula I+ammonium sulfamate, compound of formula I+anilofos, compound of formula I+asulam, compound of formula I+atraton, compound of formula I+atrazine, compound of formula I+azimsulfuron, compound of formula I+BCPC, compound of formula I+beflubutamid, compound of formula I+benazolin, compound of formula I+benfluralin, compound of formula I+benfuresate, compound of formula I+bensulfuron, compound of formula I+bensulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+bensulide, compound of formula I+bentazone, compound of formula I+benzfendizone, compound of formula I+benzobicyclon, compound of formula I+benzofenap, compound of formula I+bifenox, compound of formula I+bilanafos, compound of formula I+bispyribac, compound of formula I+bispyribac-sodium, compound of formula I+borax, compound of formula I+bromacil, compound of formula I+bromobutide, compound of formula I+bromoxynil, compound of formula I+butachlor, compound of formula I+butafenacil, compound of formula I+butamifos, compound of formula I+butralin, compound of formula I+butroxydim, compound of formula I+butylate, compound of formula I+cacodylic acid, compound of formula I+calcium chlorate, compound of formula I+cafenstrole, compound of formula I+carbetamide, compound of formula I+carfentrazone, compound of formula I+carfentrazone-ethyl, compound of formula I+CDEA, compound of formula I+CEPC, compound of formula I+chlorflurenol, compound of formula I+chlorflurenol-methyl, compound of formula I+chloridazon, compound of formula I+chlorimuron, compound of formula I+chlorimuron-ethyl, compound of formula I+chloroacetic acid, compound of formula I+chlorotoluron, compound of formula I+chlorpropham, compound of formula I+chlorsulfuron, compound of formula I+chlorthal, compound of formula I+chlorthal-dimethyl, compound of formula I+cinidon-ethyl, compound of formula I+cinmethylin, compound of formula I+cinosulfuron, compound of formula I+cisanilide, compound of formula I+clethodim, compound of formula I+clodinafop, compound of formula I+clodinafop-propargyl, compound of formula I+clomazone, compound of formula I+clomeprop, compound of formula I+clopyralid, compound of formula I+cloransulam, compound of formula I+cloransulam-methyl, compound of formula I+CMA, compound of formula I+4-CPB, compound of formula I+CPMF, compound of formula I+4-CPP, compound of formula I+CPPC, compound of formula I+cresol, compound of formula I+cumyluron, compound of formula I+cyanamide, compound of formula I+cyanazine, compound of formula I+cycloate, compound of formula I+cyclosulfamuron, compound of formula I+cycloxydim, compound of formula I+cyhalofop, compound of formula I+cyhalofop-butyl, compound of formula I+2,4-D, compound of formula I+3,4-DA, compound of formula I+daimuron, compound of formula I+dalapon, compound of formula I+dazomet, compound of formula I+2,4-DB, compound of formula I+3,4-DB, compound of formula I+2,4-DEB, compound of formula I+desmedipham, compound of formula I+dicamba, compound of formula I+dichlobenil, compound of formula I+ortho-dichlorobenzene, compound of formula I+para-dichlorobenzene, compound of formula I+dichlorprop, compound of formula I+dichlorprop-P, compound of formula I+diclofop, compound of formula I+diclofop-methyl, compound of formula I+diclosulam, compound of formula I+difenzoquat, compound of formula I+difenzoquat metilsulfate, compound of formula I+diflufenican, compound of formula I+diflufenzopyr, compound of formula I+dimefuron, compound of formula I+dimepiperate, compound of formula I+dimethachlor, compound of formula I+dimethametryn, compound of formula I+dimethenamid, compound of formula I+dimethenamid-P, compound of formula I+dimethipin, compound of formula I+dimethylarsinic acid, compound of formula I+dinitramine, compound of formula I+dinoterb, compound of formula I+diphenamid, compound of formula I+diquat, compound of formula I+diquat dibromide, compound of formula I+dithiopyr, compound of formula I+diuron, compound of formula I+DNOC, compound of formula I+3,4-DP, compound of formula I+DSMA, compound of formula I+EBEP, compound of formula I+endothal, compound of formula I+EPTC, compound of formula I+esprocarb, compound of formula I+ethalfluralin, compound of formula I+ethametsulfuron, compound of formula I+ethametsulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+ethofumesate, compound of formula I+ethoxyfen, compound of formula I+ethoxysulfuron, compound of formula I+etobenzanid, compound of formula I+fenoxaprop-P, compound of formula I+fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, compound of formula I+fentrazamide, compound of formula I+ferrous sulfate, compound of formula I+flamprop-M, compound of formula I+flazasulfuron, compound of formula I+florasulam, compound of formula I+fluazifop, compound of formula I+fluazifop-butyl, compound of formula I+fluazifop-P, compound of formula I+fluazifop-P-butyl, compound of formula I+flucarbazone, compound of formula I+flucarbazone-sodium, compound of formula I+flucetosulfuron, compound of formula I+fluchloralin, compound of formula I+flufenacet, compound of formula I+flufenpyr, compound of formula I+flufenpyr-ethyl, compound of formula I+flumetsulam, compound of formula I+flumiclorac, compound of formula I+flumiclorac-pentyl, compound of formula I+flumioxazin, compound of formula I+fluometuron, compound of formula I+fluoroglycofen, compound of formula I+fluoroglycofen-ethyl, compound of formula I+flupropanate, compound of formula I+flupyrsulfuron, compound of formula I+flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, compound of formula I+flurenol, compound of formula I+fluridone, compound of formula I+fluorochloridone, compound of formula I+fluoroxypyr, compound of formula I+flurtamone, compound of formula I+fluthiacet, compound of formula I+fluthiacet-methyl, compound of formula I+fomesafen, compound of formula I+foramsulfuron, compound of formula I+fosamine, compound of formula I+glufosinate, compound of formula I+glufosinate-ammonium, compound of formula I+glyphosate, compound of formula I+halosulfuron, compound of formula I+halosulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+haloxyfop, compound of formula I+haloxyfop-P, compound of formula I+HC-252, compound of formula I+hexazinone, compound of formula I+imazamethabenz, compound of formula I+imazamethabenz-methyl, compound of formula I+imazamox, compound of formula I+imazapic, compound of formula I+imazapyr, compound of formula I+imazaquin, compound of formula I+imazethapyr, compound of formula I+imazosulfuron, compound of formula I+indanofan, compound of formula I+iodomethane, compound of formula I+iodosulfuron, compound of formula I+iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, compound of formula I+ioxynil, compound of formula I+isoproturon, compound of formula I+isouron, compound of formula I+isoxaben, compound of formula I+isoxachlortole, compound of formula I+isoxaflutole, compound of formula I+karbutilate, compound of formula I+lactofen, compound of formula I+lenacil, compound of formula I+linuron, compound of formula I+MAA, compound of formula I+MAMA, compound of formula I+MCPA, compound of formula I+MCPA-thioethyl, compound of formula I+MCPB, compound of formula I+mecoprop, compound of formula I+mecoprop-P, compound of formula I+mefenacet, compound of formula I+mefluidide, compound of formula I+mesosulfuron, compound of formula I+mesosulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+mesotrione, compound of formula I+metam, compound of formula I+metamifop, compound of formula I+metamitron, compound of formula I+metazachlor, compound of formula I+methabenzthiazuron, compound of formula I+methylarsonic acid, compound of formula I+methyldymron, compound of formula I+methyl isothiocyanate, compound of formula I+metobenzuron, compound of formula I+metolachlor, compound of formula I+S-metolachlor, compound of formula I+metosulam, compound of formula I+metoxuron, compound of formula I+metribuzin, compound of formula I+metsulfuron, compound of formula I+metsulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+MK-616, compound of formula I+molinate, compound of formula I+monolinuron, compound of formula I+MSMA, compound of formula I+naproanilide, compound of formula I+napropamide, compound of formula I+naptalam, compound of formula I+neburon, compound of formula I+nicosulfuron, compound of formula I+nonanoic acid, compound of formula I+norflurazon, compound of formula I+oleic acid (fatty acids), compound of formula I+orbencarb, compound of formula I+orthosulfamuron, compound of formula I+oryzalin, compound of formula I+oxadiargyl, compound of formula I+oxadiazon, compound of formula I+oxasulfuron, compound of formula I+oxaziclomefone, compound of formula I+oxyfluorfen, compound of formula I+paraquat, compound of formula I+paraquat dichloride, compound of formula I+pebulate, compound of formula I+pendimethalin, compound of formula I+penoxsulam, compound of formula I+pentachlorophenol, compound of formula I+pentanochlor, compound of formula I+pentoxazone, compound of formula I+pethoxamid, compound of formula I+petrolium oils, compound of formula I+phenmedipham, compound of formula I+phenmedipham-ethyl, compound of formula I+picloram, compound of formula I+picolinafen, compound of formula I+pinoxaden, compound of formula I+piperophos, compound of formula I+potassium arsenite, compound of formula I+potassium azide, compound of formula I+pretilachlor, compound of formula I+primisulfuron, compound of formula I+primisulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+prodiamine, compound of formula I+profluazol, compound of formula I+profoxydim, compound of formula I+prometon, compound of formula I+prometryn, compound of formula I+propachlor, compound of formula I+propanil, compound of formula I+propaquizafop, compound of formula I+propazine, compound of formula I+propham, compound of formula I+propisochlor, compound of formula I+propoxycarbazone, compound of formula I+propoxycarbazone-sodium, compound of formula I+propyzamide, compound of formula I+prosulfocarb, compound of formula I+prosulfuron, compound of formula I+pyraclonil, compound of formula I+pyraflufen, compound of formula I+pyraflufen-ethyl, compound of formula I+pyrazolynate, compound of formula I+pyrazosulfuron, compound of formula I+pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, compound of formula I+pyrazoxyfen, compound of formula I+pyribenzoxim, compound of formula I+pyributicarb, compound of formula I+pyridafol, compound of formula I+pyridate, compound of formula I+pyriftalid, compound of formula I+pyriminobac, compound of formula I+pyriminobac-methyl, compound of formula I+pyrimisulfan, compound of formula I+pyrithiobac, compound of formula I+pyrithiobac-sodium, compound of formula I+quinclorac, compound of formula I+quinmerac, compound of formula I+quinoclamine, compound of formula I+quizalofop, compound of formula I+quizalofop-P, compound of formula I+rimsulfuron, compound of formula I+sethoxydim, compound of formula I+siduron, compound of formula I+simazine, compound of formula I+simetryn, compound of formula I+SMA, compound of formula I+sodium arsenite, compound of formula I+sodium azide, compound of formula I+sodium chlorate, compound of formula I+sulcotrione, compound of formula I+sulfentrazone, compound of formula I+sulfometuron, compound of formula I+sulfometuron-methyl, compound of formula I+sulfosate, compound of formula I+sulfosulfuron, compound of formula I+sulfuric acid, compound of formula I+tar oils, compound of formula I+2,3,6-TBA, compound of formula I+TCA, compound of formula I+TCA-sodium, compound of formula I+tebuthiuron, compound of formula I+tepraloxydim, compound of formula I+terbacil, compound of formula I+terbumeton, compound of formula I+terbuthylazine, compound of formula I+terbutryn, compound of formula I+thenylchlor, compound of formula I+thiazopyr, compound of formula I+thifensulfuron, compound of formula I+thifensulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+thiobencarb, compound of formula I+tiocarbazil, compound of formula I+topramezone, compound of formula I+tralkoxydim, compound of formula I+tri-allate, compound of formula I+triasulfuron, compound of formula I+triaziflam, compound of formula I+tribenuron, compound of formula I+tribenuron-methyl, compound of formula I+tricamba, compound of formula I+triclopyr, compound of formula I+trietazine, compound of formula I+trifloxysulfuron, compound of formula I+trifloxysulfuron-sodium, compound of formula I+trifluralin, compound of formula I+triflusulfuron, compound of formula I+triflusulfuron-methyl, compound of formula I+trihydroxytriazine, compound of formula I+tritosulfuron, compound of formula I+[3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(1-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl)phenoxy]-2-pyridyloxy]acetic acid ethyl ester (CAS RN 353292-31-6), compound of formula I+4-[(4,5-dihydro-3-methoxy-4-methyl-5-oxo)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylcarbonylsulfamoyl]-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylic acid (BAY636), compound of formula I+BAY747 (CAS RN 335104-84-2), compound of formula I+topramezone (CAS RN 210631-68-8), compound of formula I+4-hydroxy-3-[[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]carbonyl]-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one (CAS RN 352010-68-5), and compound of formula I+4-hydroxy-3-[[2-(3-methoxypropyl)-6-(difluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]carbonyl]-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one.

The mixing partners for the compound of formula I may also be in the form of esters or salts, as mentioned e.g. in The Pesticide Manual, 12th Edition (BCPC) 2000.

The compounds of formula I according to the invention can also be used in combination with safeners. Preferably, in these mixtures, the compound of the formula I is one of those compounds listed in Tables 1 to 102 below. The following mixtures with safeners, especially, come into consideration:

compound of formula I+cloquintocet-mexyl, compound of formula I+cloquintocet acid and salts thereof, compound of formula I+fenchlorazole-ethyl, compound of formula I+fenchlorazole acid and salts thereof, compound of formula I+mefenpyr-diethyl, compound of formula I+mefenpyr diacid, compound of formula I+isoxadifen-ethyl, compound of formula I+isoxadifen acid, compound of formula I+furilazole, compound of formula I+furilazole R isomer, compound of formula (I)+N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide, compound of formula I+benoxacor, compound of formula I+dichlormid, compound of formula I+AD-67, compound of formula I+oxabetrinil, compound of formula I+cyometrinil, compound of formula I+cyometrinil Z-isomer, compound of formula I+fenclorim, compound of formula I+cyprosulfamide, compound of formula I+naphthalic anhydride, compound of formula I+flurazole, compound of formula I+CL 304,415, compound of formula I+dicyclonon, compound of formula I+fluxofenim, compound of formula I+DKA-24, compound of formula I+R-29148 and compound of formula I+PPG-1292. A safening effect can also be observed for the mixtures compound of the formula I+dymron, compound of the formula I+MCPA, compound of the formula I+mecoprop and compound of the formula I+mecoprop-P. The above-mentioned safeners and herbicides are described, for example, in the Pesticide Manual, Twelfth Edition, British Crop Protection Council, 2000. R-29148 is described, for example by P. B. Goldsbrough et al., Plant Physiology, (2002), Vol. 130 pp. 1497-1505 and references therein, PPG-1292 is known from WO09211761 and N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide is known from EP365484.

Benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl, cyprosulfamide, mefenpyr-diethyl and N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino]benzenesulfonamide are especially preferred, where cloquintocet-mexyl is particularly valuable.

The rate of application of safener relative to the herbicide is largely dependent upon the mode of application. In the case of field treatment, generally from 0.001 to 5.0 kg of safener/ha, preferably from 0.001 to 0.5 kg of safener/ha, and generally from 0.001 to 2 kg of herbicide/ha, but preferably from 0.005 to 1 kg/ha, are applied.

The herbicidal compositions according to the invention are suitable for all methods of application customary in agriculture, such as, for example, pre-emergence application, post-emergence application and seed dressing. Depending upon the intended use, the safeners can be used for pretreating the seed material of the crop plant (dressing the seed or seedlings) or introduced into the soil before or after sowing, followed by the application of the (unsafened) compound of the formula (I), optionally in combination with a co-herbicide. It can, however, also be applied alone or together with the herbicide before or after emergence of the plants. The treatment of the plants or the seed material with the safener can therefore take place in principle independently of the time of application of the herbicide. The treatment of the plant by simultaneous application of herbicide and safener (e.g. in the form of a tank mixture) is generally preferred. The rate of application of safener relative to herbicide is largely dependent upon the mode of application. In the case of field treatment, generally from 0.001 to 5.0 kg of safener/ha, preferably from 0.001 to 0.5 kg of safener/ha, are applied. In the case of seed dressing, generally from 0.001 to 10 g of safener/kg of seed, preferably from 0.05 to 2 g of safener/kg of seed, are applied. When the safener is applied in liquid form, with seed soaking, shortly before sowing, it is advantageous to use safener solutions which contain the active ingredient in a concentration of from 1 to 10 000 ppm, preferably from 100 to 1000 ppm.

It is preferred to apply the other herbicide together with one of the safeners mentioned above.

The following examples illustrate the invention further but do not limit the invention.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain compounds described below are β-ketoenols, and as such may exist as a single tautomer or as a mixture of keto-enol and diketone tautomers, as described, for example by J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, third edition, John Wiley and Sons. The compounds are shown in Table T1 as a single enol tautomer, but it should be inferred that this description covers both the diketone form and any possible enols which could arise through tautomerism. Furthermore, some of the compounds in Table T1 and Table P1 are drawn as single enantiomers for the purposes of simplicity, but unless specified as single enantiomers these structures should be construed as representing a mixture of enantiomers. Within the detailed experimental section the diketone tautomer is chosen for naming purposes, even if the predominant tautomer is the enol form.

Where more than one tautomer observed in proton NMR, the data shown are for the mixture of tautomers.

Example 1 Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid 3-oxo-4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester

Step 1 Preparation of 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone

To a suspension of 2-bromo-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (6.75 g, 35.3 mmol), 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl boronic acid (6.99 g, 42.6 mmol) and freshly ground potassium phosphate (15 g, 70.6 mmol) in degassed toluene (180 ml) under nitrogen are added Pd(OAc)₂ (159 mg, 0.71 mmol) and S-Phos (579 mg, 1.41 mmol), and the reaction heated to 90° C. with stirring under N₂ for 4 hours. The reaction mixture is partitioned between ethyl acetate (150 ml) and water (150 ml), and the organic layer is removed, Silica gel is added to the organic layer, the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel to give 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (6.2 g).

Step 2 Preparation of 5-[hydroxy-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-2-enone

To a solution of N-ethyl-N,N-diisopropylamine (527 μl, 3.76 mmol) in THF (5 ml) under N₂ at −78° C. is added, dropwise, a 2.5M solution of butyllithium in hexane (1.32 ml, 3.3 mmol) and the reaction allowed to stir at −78° C. for 20 minutes. This pale yellow solution is then added dropwise, over a period of 10 minutes, to a solution of 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (691 ml, 3 mmol) in THF (5 ml) under N₂, which is pre-cooled to −78° C. The resulting solution is allowed to stir at −78° C. for 40 minutes. A solution of tetrahydropyran-4-carbaldehyde (377 mg, 3.3 mmol) in THF (1 ml) is then added in one portion, the reaction mixture is stirred at −78° C. for 30 minutes before being allowed to warm to room temperature over a period of 60 minutes. The reaction was quenched by the addition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 ml). The combined organics were purified by flash chromatography to give 5-[hydroxy-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-2-enone (648 mg).

Step 3 Preparation of 4-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-meth-(E)-ylidene]-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 5-[hydroxy-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-2-enone (408 mg, 1.18 mmol) in acetone (2 ml) is added a 2N solution of hydrochloric acid (2 ml) and the resulting solution is heated to 130° C. by microwave irradiation for 90 minutes. The reaction mixture was diluted with 2N hydrochloric acid (25 ml), and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×25 ml). The combined organics are washed with brine (25 ml), dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated in vacuuo to give 4-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-meth-(E)-ylidene]-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (302 mg).

Step 4 Preparation of 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 4-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-meth-(E)-ylidene]-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (270 mg, 0.86 mmol) in ethanol (10 ml) was added 10% palladium on charcoal (27 mg) and the resulting solution stirred under hydrogen (3 bar) for 5 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then filtered through a pad of celite, which was washed with methanol, and the filtrated concentrated in vacuuo to give 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (258 mg).

Step 5 Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid 3-oxo-4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester

To a solution of 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (100 mg, 0.25 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 ml) and triethylamine (140 μl, 1 mmol) is added the pivaloyl chloride (91 μl, 1 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. Silica gel is added to the crude reaction mixture, the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel to give 2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid 3-oxo-4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester (102 mg).

Example 2 Preparation of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-(tetrahydrofuran-3-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione

Step 1 Preparation of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-3-methoxy cyclopent-2-enone

To a mixture of 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (1 g, 3.4 mmol), cesium fluoride (1.5 g, 9.87 mmol), phenylboronic acid (0.5 g, 4.1 mmol) and [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloro-palladium(II) (0.44 g, 0.54 mmol) is added degassed dimethoxyethane (10 ml) and the resulting suspension is stirred under nitrogen for 45 minutes then heated at 80° C. for 4 hrs. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture is acidified with 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The aqueous phase is further extracted with ethyl acetate (3×100 ml) and then all organic fractions are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material is purified by column chromatography on silica gel to afford 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-3-methoxy cyclopent-2-enone (0.7 g) as a white solid.

Step 2 Preparation of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-5-[hydroxyl-(tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone

To a solution of 2-(3,5-Dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-3-methoxy cyclopent-2-enone (0.6 g, 2.05 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (12 ml) is added 1 molar solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF (2.5 ml, 2.5 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere at −75° C. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 40 minutes and to this mixture, a solution of 3-tetrahydrofurancarboxaldehyde (0.42 g, 4.1 mmol) in THF is added over 20 minutes. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 2 hours. The cooling bath is removed and the mixture is allowed to reach room temperature, then stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched with ice cold water (100 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×75 ml, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a residue (1.1 g) which is used as such for the next step.

Step 3 Preparation of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-[1-(tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

A mixture of 2-(3,5-Dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-5-[hydroxyl-(tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (1.1 g, 2.8 mmol), acetone (21 ml) and 2N hydrochloric acid (10 ml) is heated under microwave conditions at 130° C. for 40 minutes. The organic solvent is evaporated under vacuo, diluted with water (100 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×100 ml). The combined organic extracts are combined, washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel to give 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-[1-(tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.29 g).

Step 4 Preparation of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-(tetrahydrofuran-3ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-[1-(tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.29 g, 0.8 mmol) in methanol (10 ml) is added 10% palladium on carbon (0.06 g), followed by stirring under a 1 bar hydrogen atmosphere for 8 hours. The reaction mixture is then filtered through diatomaceous earth and concentrated to give a crude product which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 2-(3,5-dimethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-4-(tetrahydrofuran-3ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.12 g).

Example 3 Preparation of 2-((4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione

Step 1 Preparation of (4-Fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)furan-2-ylmethanol

To a solution of 5-fluoro-2-iodo-1,3-xylene (11 g, 44 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (110 ml) is added 1.6 molar solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane (33 ml, 52 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere at −75° C. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 60 minutes and to this mixture, a solution of furfural (6.3 g, 65.6 mmol) in THF (20 ml) is added over 20 minutes. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 2 hours. The cooling bath is removed and the mixture is allowed to reach room temperature, and then stirred for 5 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched with ice cold water (1000 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×250 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a residue which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford (4-Fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)furan-2-ylmethanol (6 g).

Step 2 Preparation of 5-(4-Fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy cyclopent-2-enone

A mixture of (4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)furan-2-ylmethanol (6 g, 27 mmol), acetone (150 ml), water (24 ml) and orthophosphoric acid (0.6 ml) is heated under microwave conditions at 120° C. for 50 minutes. The organic solvent is evaporated under vacuo, diluted with water (150 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (3×100 ml). The combined organic extracts are combined, washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel to give 5-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy cyclopent-2-enone (3 g).

Step 3 Preparation of 2-(4-Fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione

To a solution of 5-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy cyclopent-2-enone (3 g, 13.6 mmol) in acetone (36 ml) is added freshly prepared Jones reagent (24 ml) at 0° C. The resulting solution is stirred at 0° C. for 60 minutes. The reaction mixture is quenched with ice cold isopropyl alcohol (25 ml) and stirred for one hour. The organics evaporated under vacuo and extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a residue which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione (2.9 g).

Step 4 Preparation of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione (2.9 g, 13.3 mmol) in acetic acid (116 ml) is added zinc powder (6 g, 91.7 mmol) at 25-30° C. The resulting solution is stirred at 25-30° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture is then filtered through diatomaceous earth and concentrated to give a crude product (2.9 g) which is used for the next step.

Step 5 Preparation of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone

To a solution of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (2.9 g, 13.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (290 ml) is added anhydrous potassium carbonate (22 g, 159 mmol) and iodomethane (22.6 g, 159 mmol. The resulting mixture is stirred at 25-30° C. for 16 hours. The organic layer is evaporated, reaction mixture is quenched with water (150 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (3×100 ml). The combined organic extracts are combined, washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel to give 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (2 g).

Step 6 Preparation of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-5-[1-tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-ethyl]-cyclopent-2-enone

To a solution of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (0.5 g, 2.1 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) is added 1 molar solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF (2.7 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere at −75° C. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 40 minutes and to this mixture, a solution of 3-tetrahydrofurancarboxaldehyde (0.5 g, 4.38 mmol) in THF is added over 20 minutes. The resulting solution is stirred at −75° C. for 2 hours. The cooling bath is removed and the mixture is allowed to reach room temperature and then stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is quenched with ice cold water (100 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×75 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give a residue (0.7 g) which is used as such for the next step.

Step 7 Preparation of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[1-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

A mixture of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-5-[1-tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-ethyl]-cyclopent-2-enone (0.7 g, 2 mmol), acetone (10 ml) and 2N hydrochloric acid (10 ml) is heated under microwave conditions at 130° C. for 40 minutes. The organic solvent is evaporated under vacuo, diluted with water (100 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (3×75 ml). The combined organic extracts are combined, washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel to give 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[1-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.23 g).

Step 8 Preparation of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[1-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.14 g, 0.44 mmol) in methanol (3 ml) is added 10% palladium on carbon (1.5 mg), followed by stirring under a 1 bar hydrogen atmosphere for 8 hours. The reaction mixture is then filtered through diatomaceous earth and concentrated to give a crude product which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 2-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.13 g).

Example 3 Preparation of 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[1-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.1 g, 0.26 mmol) in methanol (100 ml) is subjected to hydrogenation under H-Cube conditions using 10% platinum carbon under a 20 bar hydrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to give a crude product which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.09 g).

Example 4 Preparation of 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a solution of 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[1-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-methylidene]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.3 g, 0.8 mmol) in methanol (5 ml) is added 10% palladium on carbon (0.06 g), followed by stirring under a 1 bar hydrogen atmosphere for 8 hours. The reaction mixture is then filtered through diatomaceous earth and concentrated to give a crude product which is purified by flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.12 g).

Example 5 Preparation of 2-(4-cyclopropyl-2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

A mixture of 2-(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.1 g, 0.26 mmol), potassium phosphate (0.11 g, 0.53 mmol), cyclopropyl boronic acid (0.09 g, 1.05 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (0.06 g, 0.053 mmol), toluene (2 ml), dimethoxyethane (0.5 ml) and water (0.5 ml) is heated under microwave conditions at 130° C. for 22 minutes. The organic solvent is evaporated under vacuo, diluted with water and extracted with ethylacetate (3×25 ml). The combined organic extracts are combined, washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel followed by preparative HPLC to give 2-(4-cyclopropyl-2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (0.012 g).

Example 6 Preparation of (4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

Step 1 Preparation of 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-en-(E)-ylidenemethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-methoxy-cyclopent-2-enone (9.05 g, 39.21 mmol) in THF (150 ml) under N₂ at −78° C. is added, dropwise over a period of 30 minutes, lithium diisopropylamide solution (24 ml, 43.24 mmol, 1.8 M in hexane/THF/ethylbenzene), and the reaction allowed to stir at this temperature for a further 30 minutes. 4-Formyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (10 g, 43.24 mmol) is then added in one portion and the reaction kept at −78° C. for 30 minutes, before being allowed to warm gradually to room temperature over a period of 60 minutes. Potassium tert-butoxide (7.28 g, 64.86 mmol) is then added in one portion and the reaction stirred at room temperature for a further 2 hours.

The reaction is quenched by the addition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (500 ml), and extracted with ethyl acetate (500 ml). The organic layer is removed, silica gel is added to the organic layer, the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel to give 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-en-(E)-ylidenemethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (15.33 g)

Step 2 Preparation of 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-enylmethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-en-(E)-ylidenemethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (15.33 g, 36.02 mmol) in ethanol (150 ml) is added 10% palladium on activated charcoal (1.53 g) and the reaction stirred under hydrogen (4 bar) for hours. The reaction is filtered through a pad of Celite and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-enylmethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (15.4 g)

Step 3 Preparation of 4-[2,4-dioxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-piperidinium hydrochloride

To a solution of 4-[4-methoxy-2-oxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-3-enylmethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (15.4 g, 36 mmol) in acetone (100 ml) is added 2N HCl (100 ml) and the reaction heated to reflux for 4 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give 4-[2,4-dioxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-piperidinium hydrochloride (12.58 g)

Step 4 Preparation of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-3-oxo-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester

To a suspension of 4-[2,4-dioxo-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-piperidinium hydrochloride (175 mg, 0.5 mmol) in DCM (5 ml) is added triethylamine (697 μl, 5 mmol), followed by cyclopropyl carbonyl chloride (608 μl, 4.5 mmol) and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Silica gel is added to the crude reaction, the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel to give cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-3-oxo-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester (162 mg)

Step 5 Preparation of 4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

To a suspension of 4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-3-oxo-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopent-1-enyl ester (162 mg, 0.36 mmol) in methanol is added potassium carbonate (149 mg, 1.08 mmol) and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in water (2 ml). 2N HCl (3 ml) is then added, and the resulting precipitate is filtered off, washed with hexane and air dried to give 4-(1-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (72 mg).

Example 7 Preparation of the sodium salt of the 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione

A 0.5 M solution of sodium methoxide in methanol (2 ml, 1 mmol) is added to the 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (314 mg, 1 mmol) at room temperature under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the sodium salt of the 4-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (336 mg).

Where more than one tautomer or rotational conformer is observed in the proton NMR spectrum, the data shown below are for the mixture of isomers and conformers.

Unless otherwise stated, proton NMR spectra were recorded at ambient temperature.

Compounds characterised by HPLC-MS were analysed using one of three methods described below.

Method A

Compounds characterised by HPLC-MS were analysed using a Waters 2795 HPLC equipped with a Waters Atlantis dC18 column (column length 20 mm, internal diameter of column 3 mm, particle size 3 micron, temperature 40° C.), Waters photodiode array and Micromass ZQ2000. The analysis was conducted using a three minutes run time, according to the following gradient table:

Solvent A Solvent B Flow (ml/ Time (mins) (%) (%) mn) 0.00 90.0 10.0 2.00 0.25 90.0 10.0 2.00 2.00 10.0 90.0 2.00 2.50 10.0 90.0 2.00 2.60 90.0 10.0 2.00 3.0 90.0 10.0 2.00 Solvent A: H₂O containing 0.1% HCOOH Solvent B: CH₃CN containing 0.1% HCOOH

Method B

Compounds characterised by HPLC-MS were analysed using an Waters 2777 injector with a 1525 micro pump HPLC equipped with a Waters Atlantis dC18 IS column (column length 20 mm, internal diameter of column 3 mm, particle size 3 micron), Waters 2996 photodiode array, Waters 2420 ELSD and Micromass ZQ2000. The analysis was conducted using a three minutes run time, according to the following gradient table:

Time Solvent A Solvent B Flow (ml/ (mins) (%) (%) mn) 0.00 95.0 5 1.300 2.50 0.00 100 1.300 2.80 0.00 100 1.300 2.90 95.0 5 1.300 Solvent A: H₂O with 0.05% TFA Solvent B: CH₃CN with 0.05% TFA

Method C:

Compounds characterised by HPLC-MS were analysed using a Finnigan Surveyor MSQ Plus equipped with a Waters Xterra column (column length 50 mm, internal diameter of column 4.6 mm, particle size 3.5 micron, temperature 40° C.), Waters photodiode array and Micromass ZQ2000. The analysis was conducted using a six minutes run time, according to the following gradient table:

Solvent A Solvent B Flow (ml/ Time (mins) (%) (%) mn) 0.00 90.0 10.0 1.30 3.80 0.00 100 1.30 4.80 0.00 100 1.30 5.00 90.0 10.0 1.30 6.00 90.0 10.0 1.30 Solvent A: H₂O containing 0.05% HCOOH Solvent B: CH₃CN containing 0.05% HCOOH

TABLE T1 Compound ¹H nmr (CDCl₃ unless stated), LC/MS or Number Structure other physical data T1

δ ppm 1.05-1.10 (m, 6H), 1.29-1.45 (m, 3H), 1.49-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.62-1.72 (m, 3H), 1.90-1.96 (m, 2H), 2.32-2.39 (m, 8H), 3.36-3.43 (m, 2H), 3.93-3.99 (m, 2H) T2

δ ppm 1.14 (t, 3H), 1.28-1.43 (m, 3H), 1.58-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.85-1.97 (m, 1H), 2.50 (q, 2H), 2.61-3.10 (m, 3 H), 3.30- 3.47 (m, 2H), 3.89-4.02 (m, 2H), 7.24 (d, 1H), 7.38-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.45-7.49 (m, 2H). 7.55 (dd, 1H) T3

δ ppm 1.50-1.58 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.82 (m, 3H), 2.09 (s, 6H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.32-2.43 (m, 1H), 2.69-2.82 (m, 1H), 2.96 (s, 1H), 3.35-3.48 (m, 2H), 3.67-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.99-4.11 (m, 2H), 6.90 (s, 2H) T4

δ ppm 1.29-1.46 (m, 3H), 1.61-1.76 (m, 3H), 1.86-1.98 (m, 1H), 2.08 (d, 6H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.37 (d (br), 1H), 2.80-2.95 (m, 2H), 3.35-3.47 (m, 2H), 3.92-4.04 (m, 2H), 6.92 (s, 2H) T5

δ ppm 1.48-1.68 (m, 2H), 2.05-2.13 (m, 8H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.33-2.46 (m, 2H), 2.80-2.98 (m (br), 2H), 3.36-3.47 (m, 1H), 3.78 (dd, 1H), 3.86-3.92 (m, 1H), 3.95 (dd, 1H), 6.92 (s, 2H) T6

δ ppm 1.46-1.61 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.93-2.05 (m, 2H), 2.07-2.09 (m, 6H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.65-2.83 (m, 6H), 2.91-3.05 (m, 1H), 3.67 (d, 1H), 6.90 (s, 2H) T7

δ ppm 1.41-1.53 (m, 1H), 1.85-2.02 (m, 4H), 2.05-2.10 (m, 6H), 2.12-2.25 (m, 2H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.30-2.38 (m, 1H), 2.83-3.14 (m, 6H), 6.93 (s, 2H) T8

δ ppm 1.51-1.73 (m, 4H), 2.10 (s, 6H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.55 (m, 1H), 3.13 (s, 2H), 3.48 (td, 2H), 3.92-4.06 (m, 2H), 6.01 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 2H) T9

δ ppm 1.67 (m, 2H), 1.98-2.08 (m, 2H), 2.10 (s, 6H), 2.27-2.30 (m, 4H), 2.63- 2.83 (m, 4H), 3.09 (s, 2H), 6.00 (d, 1H), 6.94 (s, 2H) T10

δ ppm 2.10 (s, 6H), 2.13-2.25 (m, 5H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.44-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.99- 3.27 (m, 6H), 6.02 (d, 1H), 6.94 (s, 2H) T11

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 345 rt = 1.17 min T12

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 441 T13

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 402 rt = 1.31 min T14

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 313 rt = 1.39 min T15

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 354 rt = 1.27 min T16

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.34 min T17

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 299 rt = 1.27 min T18

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 301 rt = 1.36 min T19

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 299 rt = 1.32 min T20

δ ppm 1.19-1.38 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.72 (m, 3H), 2.05 (s, 6H), 2.03-2.07 (m, 2H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.94 (s, 2H), 3.24-3.30 (m, 2H), 3.79-2.83 (m, 2H), 6.21 (t, 1H), 6.87 (s, 2H) T21

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 rt = 1.34 min T22

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 344 rt = 1.27 min T23

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 344 rt = 1.19 min T24

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 356 rt = 1.29 min T25

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 343 rt = 1.33 min T26

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.46 min T27

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 345 rt = 1.10 min T28

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 rt = 1.52 min T29

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.24 min T30

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.21 min T31

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 376 rt = 1.29 min T32

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 356 rt = 1.36 min T33

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 386 rt = 1.51 min T34

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 402 rt = 1.42 min T35

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 342 rt = 1.21 min T36

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 378 rt = 1.29 min T37

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 341 rt = 1.44 min T38

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 359 rt = 1.22 min T39

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 343 rt = 1.42 min T40

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 317 rt = 1.22 min T41

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 404 rt = 1.41 min T42

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 446 rt = 1.66 min T43

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 358 rt = 1.34 min T44

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 rt = 1.59 min T45

δ (DMSO-d6) ppm 1.45 (m, 2H), 1.59 (m, 2H), 2.01 (s, 6H), 3.08 (br, s), 3.37 (m, 2H), 3.87 (m, 2H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 6.04 (br s, 1H), 7.27 (s, 2H). T46

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 354 rt = 1.32 min T47

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 390 rt = 1.38 min T48

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 356 rt = 1.38 min T49

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.34 min T50

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 rt = 1.29 min T51

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 392 rt = 1.36 min T52

LC-MS (Method C) ES−: M − H⁺ = 299 Rt = 4.75 mins Melting point: 165-167° C. T53

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 314 rt = 1.09 min T54

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 412 rt = 1.63 min T55

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 414 rt = 1.61 min T56

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 327 rt = 1.39 min T57

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 341 rt = 1.39 min T58

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 343 rt = 1.34 min T59

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 313 rt = 1.29 min T60

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 426, 424 rt = 1.56 min T61

Melting point: 230-232° C. T62

LC-MS (Method C) ES−: M − H⁺ = 407, 409 rt = 5.77 min Melting point: 242-244° C. T63

Melting point: 115-117° C. T64

Melting point: 232-233° C. T65

Melting point: 225-227° C. T66

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 375 rt = 4.93 min T67

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 377 rt = 4.05 min T68

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 434 rt = 1.61 min T69

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 414 rt = 1.64 min T70

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 418 rt = 1.44 min T71

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 490, 488, 486 rt = 1.61 min T72

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 432 rt = 1.49 min T73

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 454, 452 rt = 1.55 min T74

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 490, 488, 486 rt = 1.64 min T75

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 436 rt = 1.48 min T76

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 454, 452 rt = 1.56 min T77

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 494 rt = 1.70 min T78

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 432 rt = 1.52 min T79

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 398 rt = 1.47 min T80

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 384 rt = 1.38 min T81

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 386 rt = 1.25 min T82

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 432 rt = 1.49 min T83

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 370 rt = 1.32 min T84

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 384 rt = 1.39 min T85

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 398 rt = 1.48 min T86

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 492, 490, 488 rt = 1.71 min T87

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 406, 404 rt = 1.42 min T88

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 382 rt = 1.36 min T89

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 424 rt = 1.55 min T90

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 408 rt = 1.38 min T91

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 454 rt = 1.60 min T92

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 490, 488 rt = 1.70 min T93

T94

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 392 rt = 1.34 min T95

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 406 rt = 1.39 min T96

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 434 rt = 1.60 min T97

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 448 rt = 1.47 min T98

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 372 rt = 1.40 min T99

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 486 rt = 1.60 min T100

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 427 rt = 1.31 min T101

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 398 rt = 1.51 min T102

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 384 rt = 1.51 min T103

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 422, 420 rt = 1.52 min T104

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 396 rt = 1.41 min T105

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 462, 460, 458 rt = 1.64 min T106

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 509, 507, 505 rt = 1.58 min T107

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 400 rt = 1.54 min T108

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 386 rt = 1.46 min T109

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 468 rt = 1.65 min T110

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 424 rt = 1.44 min T111

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 455, 453 rt = 1.42 min T112

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 446 rt = 1.66 min T113

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 398 rt = 1.44 min T114

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 410 rt = 1.50 min T115

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 402 rt = 1.56 min T116

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 444 rt = 1.55 min T117

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 478 rt = 1.54 min T118

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 437 rt = 1.35 min T119

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 423 rt = 1.42 min T120

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 425 rt = 1.51 min T121

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 436 rt = 1.36 min T122

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 432 rt = 1.52 min T123

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 416 rt = 1.38 min T124

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 472 rt = 1.35 min T125

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 450 rt = 1.67 min T126

T127

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 396 rt = 1.12 min T128

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 410 rt = 1.21 min T129

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 412 rt = 1.14 min T130

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 303 rt = 1.26 min T131

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 428 rt = 1.46 min T132

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁻: M − H⁺ = 425, 427 rt = 4.50 mins T133

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁻: M − H⁺ = 441 rt = 4.47 mins T134

δ ppm 1.64-1.62 (m, 4H), 2.5 (m, 1H), 3.16 (s, 2H), 3.52-3.46 (m, 2H), 4.02- 3.98 (m, 2H), 6.03 (d, 1H), 6.26 (s, 1H), 7.29-7.25 (m, 4H), 7.56 (d, 2H). T135

Melting point: 135-137° C. T136

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 445 rt = 4.43 mins T137

δ (CD₃OD) ppm 1.8-1.5 (m, 6H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.67-2.59 (m, 2H), 3.2 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 2H), 3.9 (m, 2H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.58 (d, 2H), 7.67 (d, 2H). T138

δ ppm 1.33 (m, 3H), 1.66 (m, 3H), 1.88 (m, 1H), 2.05 (s, 6H), 2.29 (m, 1H), 2.78 (m, 2H), 3.38 (m, 2H), 3.9 (m, 2H), 7.21 (s, 2H). T139

δ ppm 1.4 (m, 4H), 1.7 (m, 2H), 1.9 (m, 1H), 2.18 (2 × s, 6H), 2.4 (br, 1H), 2.9 (br, 2H), 3.4 (m, 2H), 3.97 (m, 2H), 7.14 (m, 1H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.32 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H). T140

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 380 rt = 3.98 min T141

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 368 rt = 1.29 min T142

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 370 rt = 1.39 min T143

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 384 rt = 1.39 min T144

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 382 rt = 1.36 min T145

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 420, 418 rt = 1.41 min T146

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 410 rt = 1.38 min T147

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 394 rt = 1.31 min T148

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 423 rt = 1.27 min T149

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 421 rt = 1.65 min T150

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 391 rt = 1.62 min T151

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 391 rt = 1.65 min T152

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 rt = 1.45 min T153

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 345 rt = 1.38 min T154

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 421 rt = 1.60 min T155

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 411 rt = 1.81 min T156

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.37 min T157

δ ppm 1.6 (m, 2H), 2.10 (m, 2H), 2.20 (s, 6H), 2.40 (m, 2H), 2.90 (br, 2H), 3.40 (m, 1H), 3.76 (m, 1H), 3.90 (m, 2H), 7.31 (s, 2H), 7.66 (m, 4H). T158

δ ppm 1.60 (m, 2H), 2.05 (m, 2H), 2.10 (s, 6H), 2.40 (m, 2H), 2.90 (m, 2H), 3.40 (m, 1H), 3.78 (m, 1H), 3.9 (m, 2H), 7.10 (t, 2H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.5 (m, 2H). T159

δ ppm 1.4 (br, 2H), 1.9 (br, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.1 (s, 3H), 2.22 (d, 2H), 2.6 (m, 2H), 3.2 (m, 1H), 3.62 (m, 1H), 3.76 (m, 2H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.32 (d, 1H), 7.39 (t, 2H), 7.52 (d, 2H). T160

δ ppm 1.33 (m, 3H), 1.4 (m, 1H), 1.55 (m, 1H), 1.95 (m, 1H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H), 2.10 (m, 1H), 2.29-2.17 (m, 2H), 2.75-2.57 (m, 2H), 3.3 (m, 1H), 3.69 (m, 1H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 7.17 (s, 2H), T161

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 442 rt = 1.66 min T162

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 396 rt = 1.51 min T163

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 410 rt = 1.59 min T164

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 301 rt = 1.31 min T165

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 331 rt = 1.27 min T166

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 341, 343, 345 rt = 1.39 min T167

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 321, 323 rt = 1.39 min T168

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 273 rt = 1.26 min T169

δ ppm 1.33 (m, 3H), 1.65 (m, 3H), 1.9 (m, 1H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.35 (d, 1H), 2.85 (d, 2H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.97 (m, 2H), 7.09 (s, 2H). T170

δ ppm 1.42 (m, 3H), 1.70 (m, 3H), 1.89 (m, 1H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.34 (d, 1H), 2.85 (d, 2H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.97 (m, 2H), 6.8 (d, 2H). T171

LC-MS (Method C) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 305 rt = 3.37 min T172

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 425 rt = 1.83 min T173

δ ppm 0.65 (m, 2H), 0.9 (m, 2H), 1.41 (m, 3H), 1.68 (m, 3H), 1.80 (m, 1H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 2.07 (s, 6H), 2.35 (br, 1H), 2.8 (br, 2H), 3.38 (m, 2H), 3.96 (m, 2H), 6.78 (s, 2H) T174

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 349, 351 rt = 1.48 min T175

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 287 rt = 1.24 min T176

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 351, 353 rt = 1.35 min T177

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 371. rt = 1.51 min T178

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315. rt = 1.31 min

TABLE P1 Compound ¹H nmr (CDCl₃ unless stated), or other Number Structure physical data P1

δ ppm 1.21 (t, 3H), 1.32-1.47 (m, 3H), 1.61-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.91-2.02 (m, 1H), 2.42-2.58 (m, 3H), 2.65-2.77 (m, 1H), 3.00 (dd, 1H), 3.35-3.45 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.95-4.04 (m, 2H), 7.24 (d, 1H), 7.38-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.45-7.49 (m, 2H). 7.55 (dd, 1H) P2

δ ppm 1.53 (d, 2H), 1.70-1.79 (m, 2H), 1.85 (td, 1H), 2.09 (d, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.50 (dd, 1H), 2.73-2.81 (m, 1H), 2.83-2.94 (m, 1H), 3.33-3.48 (m, 2H), 3.61 (d, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 4.01-4.10 (m, 2H), 4.58 (s, 1H), 6.87 (s, 2H) P3

δ ppm 1.11 (s, 9H), 1.53 (d, 2H), 1.69-1.91 (m, 3H), 2.06 (d, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.78-2.86 (m, 3H), 2.89 (ddd, 1H), 3.13 (dd, 1H), 3.33-3.47 (m, 2H), 3.69 (d, 1H), 4.05 (td, 2H), 4.13 (s, 3H), 6.85 (s, 2H) P4

δ ppm 1.28-1.46 (m, 3H), 1.61-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.94 (ddd, 1H), 2.08 (d, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.44 (dd, 1H), 2.66-2.77 (m, 1H), 2.97 (dd, 1H), 3.35-3.48 (m, 2H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.95-4.05 (m, 2H), 6.87 (s, 2H) P5

δ ppm 1.09 (s, 9H), 1.28-1.46 (m, 3H), 1.59-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.77 (m, 1H), 1.94 (ddd, 1H), 2.05 (d, 6H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.70 (dd, 1H), 2.76-2.86 (m, 1H), 3.16 (dd, 1H), 3.33-3.45 (m, 2H), 3.91-4.07 (m, 2H), 6.84 (s, 2H) P6

δ ppm 1.58-1.68 (m, 4H), 2.12 (s, 6H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.37-2.54 (m, 1H), 3.09 (d, 2H), 3.49 (td, 2H), 3.55 (s, 3H), 3.96-4.07 (m, 2H), 5.92 (d, 1H), 6.88 (s, 2H) P7

δ ppm 1.09 (s, 9H), 1.58-1.66 (m, 2H), 2.05 (d, 6H), 2.07-2.15 (m, 2H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.35-2.45 (m, 1H), 2.64-2.79 (m, 2H), 3.17 (dd, 1H), 3.40 (dt, 1H), 3.79 (ddd, 1H), 3.89 (ddd, 1H), 3.97 (t, 1H), 6.84 (s, 2H) P8

δ ppm 1.44-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.79 (ddd, 1H), 1.88-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.96-2.03 (m, 2H), 2.08 (d, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.44 (dd, 1H), 2.66-2.74 (m, 4H), 2.75-2.81 (m, 1H), 2.82-2.92 (m, 1H), 3.59 (dd, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 4.75 (s, 1H), 6.87 (s, 2H) P9

δ ppm 1.11 (s, 9H), 1.70 (ddd, 2H), 1.97-2.06 (m, 2H), 2.07 (s, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.28-2.40 (m, 1H), 2.62-2.80 (m, 4H), 3.59 (d, 2H), 6.57 (d, 1H), 6.85 (s, 2H) P10

δ ppm 1.11 (s, 9H), 1.48-1.53 (m, 1H), 1.74-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.88-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.96-2.02 (m, 2H), 2.05 (d, 6H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.63-2.73 (m, 4H), 2.74-2.82 (m, 1H), 2.90 (ddd, 1H), 3.10 (dd, 1H), 3.67 (dd, 1H), 4.32 (s, 1H), 6.85 (s, 2H) P11

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 397 rt = 1.95 min P12

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 rt = 1.37 min P13

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 371 rt = 1.83 min P14

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 369 rt = 1.73 min P15

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 411 rt = 1.95 min P16

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 413 rt = 2.00 min P17

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 405 rt = 1.81 min P18

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 435 rt = 1.81 min P19

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 359 rt = 1.56 min P20

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 387 P21

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 373 P22

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 415 P23

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 401 P24

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 415 P25

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 385 P26

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 421 rt = 1.83 min P27

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 393 rt = 1.64 min P28

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 405 rt = 1.66 min P29

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 412 rt = 1.73 min P30

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 389 rt = 1.83 min P31

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 387 rt = 1.78 min P32

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 359 rt = 1.26 min P33

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 345 P34

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 413 rt = 2.03 min P35

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 357 rt = 1.44 min P36

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 315 P37

LC-MS (Method A) ES+: M + H⁺ = 399 rt = 1.98 min P38

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 329 P39

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 342 P40

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 430 P41

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 361 rt = 1.54 min P42

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 382 P43

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 401 rt = 1.77 min P44

LC-MS (Method B) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 419 rt = 1.84 min P45

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 373 rt = 1.64 min P46

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 454 rt = 1.51 min P47

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 474 rt = 1.91 min P48

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 506 rt = 1.85 min P49

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 401 rt = 1.81 min P50

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 386 rt = 1.53 min P51

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 428 rt = 1.88 min P52

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 359 rt = 1.46 min P53

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 512 rt = 2.03 min P54

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 514 rt = 2.03 min P55

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 448 rt = 1.78 min P56

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 430 rt = 1.64 min P57

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 436 rt = 1.56 mins P58

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 440 rt = 1.71 mins P59

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 468 rt = 1.85 mins P60

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 540, 538, 536 rt = 1.85 mins P61

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 520 rt = 1.76 mins P62

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 488 rt = 1.63 mins P63

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 546 rt = 1.66 mins P64

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 582, 580, 578 rt = 1.86 mins P65

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 426 rt = 1.78 mins P66

Melting point: 82-84° C. P67

δ ppm (D₂O) 1.20-1.40 (m, 3H), 1.60-1.85 (m, 4H), 2.01 (s, 6H), 2.15-2.25 (m, 4H), 2.60-2.70 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.55 (m, 2H), 3.90-4.05 (m, 2H), 6.91 (s, 2H) P68

δ ppm (D₂O) 1.20-1.40 (m, 3H), 1.60-1.85 (m, 4H), 2.01 (s, 6H), 2.15-2.25 (m, 4H), 2.60-2.70 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.55 (m, 2H), 3.90-4.05 (m, 2H), 6.91 (s, 2H) P69

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 327 rt = 1.54 mins P70

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 405 rt = 1.75 mins P71

LC-MS (Method A) ES⁺: MH⁺ = 435 rt = 1.81 mins

The compounds of the following Tables 1 to 102 can be obtained in an analogous manner.

TABLE 1 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1 below: Compound Number R¹ R² R³ R⁴ 1.001 CH₃ H H H 1.002 CH₃ CH₃ H H 1.003 CH₃ H CH₃ H 1.004 CH₃ H H CH₃ 1.005 CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ H 1.006 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ 1.007 CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ 1.008 CH₃ Cl H H 1.009 CH₃ Cl H CH₃ 1.010 CH₃ Cl H OCH₃ 1.011 CH₃ H Cl H 1.012 CH₃ H H Cl 1.013 CH₃ CH₃ Cl H 1.014 CH₃ CH₃ H Cl 1.015 CH₃ H Cl CH₃ 1.016 CH₃ CH₃ Cl CH₃ 1.017 CH₃ Br H H 1.018 CH₃ Br H CH₃ 1.019 CH₃ Br H OCH₃ 1.020 CH₃ H Br H 1.021 CH₃ H H Br 1.022 CH₃ CH₃ Br H 1.023 CH₃ CH₃ H Br 1.024 CH₃ H Br CH₃ 1.025 CH₃ CH₃ Br CH₃ 1.026 CH₃ CH₃O H H 1.027 CH₃ CH₃O H CH₃ 1.028 CH₃ CH₃O H Cl 1.029 CH₃ CH₃O H Br 1.030 CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H H 1.031 CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H CH₃ 1.032 CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H Cl 1.033 CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H Br 1.034 CH₃ H CH₃O H 1.035 CH₃ H H CH₃O 1.036 CH₃ CH₃ CH₃O H 1.037 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃O 1.038 CH₃ H CH₃O CH₃ 1.039 CH₃ CH₃ CH₃O CH₃ 1.040 CH₃ —CH═CH₂ H CH₃ 1.041 CH₃ CH₃ H —CH═CH₂ 1.042 CH₃ —C•CH H CH₃ 1.043 CH₃ CH₃ H —C•CH 1.044 CH₃ —CH═CH₂ H —CH═CH₂ 1.045 CH₃ CH₂CH₃ H CH₃ 1.046 CH₃ phenyl H CH₃ 1.047 CH₃ 2-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.048 CH₃ 2-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.049 CH₃ 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.050 CH₃ 2-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.051 CH₃ 2-nnethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.052 CH₃ 2-nnethanesulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.053 CH₃ 2-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.054 CH₃ 3-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.055 CH₃ 3-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.056 CH₃ 3-trifluoronnethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.057 CH₃ 3-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.058 CH₃ 3-methylphenyl H CH₃ 1.059 CH₃ 3-methanesulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.060 CH₃ 3-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.061 CH₃ 4-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.062 CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.063 CH₃ 4-bromophenyl H CH₃ 1.064 CH₃ 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H CH₃ 1.065 CH₃ 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.066 CH₃ 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.067 CH₃ 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.068 CH₃ 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.069 CH₃ 4-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.070 CH₃ 4-methylphenyl H CH₃ 1.071 CH₃ 4-methanesulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.072 CH₃ 4-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.073 CH₃ H phenyl H 1.074 CH₃ H 2-fluorophenyl H 1.075 CH₃ H 2-chlorophenyl H 1.076 CH₃ H 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.077 CH₃ H 2-nitrophenyl H 1.078 CH₃ H 2-methylphenyl H 1.079 CH₃ H 2-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.080 CH₃ H 2-cyanophenyl H 1.081 CH₃ H 3-fluorophenyl H 1.082 CH₃ H 3-chlorophenyl H 1.083 CH₃ H 3-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.084 CH₃ H 3-nitrophenyl H 1.085 CH₃ H 3-nnethylphenyl H 1.086 CH₃ H 3-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.087 CH₃ H 3-cyanophenyl H 1.088 CH₃ H 4-fluorophenyl H 1.089 CH₃ H 4-chlorophenyl H 1.090 CH₃ H 4-bromophenyl H 1.091 CH₃ H 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H 1.092 CH₃ H 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.093 CH₃ H 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.094 CH₃ H 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H 1.095 CH₃ H 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.096 CH₃ H 4-nitrophenyl H 1.097 CH₃ H 4-methylphenyl H 1.098 CH₃ H 4-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.099 CH₃ H 4-cyanophenyl H 1.100 CH₂CH₃ H H H 1.101 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H H 1.102 CH₂CH₃ H CH₃ H 1.103 CH₂CH₃ H H CH₃ 1.104 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ H 1.105 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ 1.106 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ 1.107 CH₂CH₃ Cl H H 1.108 CH₂CH₃ Cl H CH₃ 1.109 CH₂CH₃ Cl H OCH₃ 1.110 CH₂CH₃ H Cl H 1.111 CH₂CH₃ H H CI 1.112 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ Cl H 1.113 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H Cl 1.114 CH₂CH₃ H Cl CH₃ 1.115 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ Cl CH₃ 1.116 CH₂CH₃ Br H H 1.117 CH₂CH₃ Br H CH₃ 1.118 CH₂CH₃ Br H OCH₃ 1.119 CH₂CH₃ H Br H 1.120 CH₂CH₃ H H Br 1.121 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ Br H 1.122 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H Br 1.123 CH₂CH₃ H Br CH₃ 1.124 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ Br CH₃ 1.125 CH₂CH₃ CH₃O H H 1.126 CH₂CH₃ CH₃O H CH₃ 1.127 CH₂CH₃ CH₃O H Cl 1.128 CH₂CH₃ CH₃O H Br 1.129 CH₂CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H H 1.130 CH₂CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H CH₃ 1.131 CH₂CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H CI 1.132 CH₂CH₃ CH₃CH₂O H Br 1.133 CH₂CH₃ H CH₃O H 1.134 CH₂CH₃ H H CH₃O 1.135 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃O H 1.136 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃O 1.137 CH₂CH₃ H CH₃O CH₃ 1.138 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃O CH₃ 1.139 CH₂CH₃ —CH═CH₂ H CH₃ 1.140 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H —CH═CH₂ 1.141 CH₂CH₃ —C•CH H CH₃ 1.142 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H —C•CH 1.143 CH₂CH₃ —CH═CH₂ H —CH═CH₂ 1.144 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ H CH₃ 1.145 CH₂CH₃ phenyl H CH₃ 1.146 CH₂CH₃ 2-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.147 CH₂CH₃ 2-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.148 CH₂CH₃ 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.149 CH₂CH₃ 2-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.150 CH₂CH₃ 2-nnethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.151 CH₂CH₃ 2-methylsulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.152 CH₂CH₃ 2-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.153 CH₂CH₃ 3-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.154 CH₂CH₃ 3-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.155 CH₂CH₃ 3-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.156 CH₂CH₃ 3-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.157 CH₂CH₃ 3-methylphenyl H CH₃ 1.158 CH₂CH₃ 3-nnethylsulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.159 CH₂CH₃ 3-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.160 CH₂CH₃ 4-fluorophenyl H CH₃ 1.161 CH₂CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.162 CH₂CH₃ 4-bromophenyl H CH₃ 1.163 CH₂CH₃ 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H CH₃ 1.164 CH₂CH₃ 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.165 CH₂CH₃ 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.166 CH₂CH₃ 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H CH₃ 1.167 CH₂CH₃ 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₃ 1.168 CH₂CH₃ 4-nitrophenyl H CH₃ 1.169 CH₂CH₃ 4-methylphenyl H CH₃ 1.170 CH₂CH₃ 4-methylsulfonylphenyl H CH₃ 1.171 CH₂CH₃ 4-cyanophenyl H CH₃ 1.172 CH₂CH₃ H phenyl H 1.173 CH₂CH₃ H 2-fluorophenyl H 1.174 CH₂CH₃ H 2-chlorophenyl H 1.175 CH₂CH₃ H 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.176 CH₂CH₃ H 2-nitrophenyl H 1.177 CH₂CH₃ H 2-methylphenyl H 1.178 CH₂CH₃ H 2-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.179 CH₂CH₃ H 2-cyanophenyl H 1.180 CH₂CH₃ H 3-fluorophenyl H 1.181 CH₂CH₃ H 3-chlorophenyl H 1.182 CH₂CH₃ H 3-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.183 CH₂CH₃ H 3-nitrophenyl H 1.184 CH₂CH₃ H 3-nnethylphenyl H 1.185 CH₂CH₃ H 3-nnethylsulfonylphenyl H 1.186 CH₂CH₃ H 3-cyanophenyl H 1.187 CH₂CH₃ H 4-fluorophenyl H 1.188 CH₂CH₃ H 4-chlorophenyl H 1.189 CH₂CH₃ H 4-bromophenyl H 1.190 CH₂CH₃ H 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H 1.191 CH₂CH₃ H 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.192 CH₂CH₃ H 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.193 CH₂CH₃ H 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H 1.194 CH₂CH₃ H 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.195 CH₂CH₃ H 4-nitrophenyl H 1.196 CH₂CH₃ H 4-nnethylphenyl H 1.197 CH₂CH₃ H 4-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.198 CH₂CH₃ H 4-cyanophenyl H 1.199 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H CH₂CH₃ 1.200 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ H CH₂CH₃ 1.201 CH₂CH₃ Cl H CH₂CH₃ 1.202 CH₂CH₃ Br H CH₂CH₃ 1.203 CH₂CH₃ NO₂ H CH₂CH₃ 1.204 CH₂CH₃ CH₃O H CH₂CH₃ 1.205 CH₂CH₃ CH₃S H CH₂CH₃ 1.206 CH₂CH₃ CH₃SO₂ H CH₂CH₃ 1.207 CH₂CH₃ CH₂═CH H CH₂CH₃ 1.208 CH₂CH₃ —C•CH H CH₂CH₃ 1.209 CH₂CH₃ phenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.210 CH₂CH₃ 2-fluorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.211 CH₂CH₃ 2-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.212 CH₂CH₃ 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.213 CH₂CH₃ 2-nitrophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.214 CH₂CH₃ 2-methylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.215 CH₂CH₃ 2-methylsulfonylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.216 CH₂CH₃ 2-cyanophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.217 CH₂CH₃ 3-fluorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.218 CH₂CH₃ 3-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.219 CH₂CH₃ 3-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.220 CH₂CH₃ 3-nitrophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.221 CH₂CH₃ 3-methylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.222 CH₂CH₃ 3-methylsulfonylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.223 CH₂CH₃ 3-cyanophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.224 CH₂CH₃ 4-fluorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.225 CH₂CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.226 CH₂CH₃ 4-bromophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.227 CH₂CH₃ 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.228 CH₂CH₃ 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.229 CH₂CH₃ 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.230 CH₂CH₃ 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.231 CH₂CH₃ 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.232 CH₂CH₃ 4-nitrophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.233 CH₂CH₃ 4-nnethylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.234 CH₂CH₃ 4-methylsulfonylphenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.235 CH₂CH₃ 4-cyanophenyl H CH₂CH₃ 1.236 OCH₃ H phenyl H 1.237 OCH₃ H 2-fluorophenyl H 1.238 OCH₃ H 2-chlorophenyl H 1.239 OCH₃ H 2-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.240 OCH₃ H 2-nitrophenyl H 1.241 OCH₃ H 2-methylphenyl H 1.242 OCH₃ H 2-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.243 OCH₃ H 2-cyanophenyl H 1.244 OCH₃ H 3-fluorophenyl H 1.245 OCH₃ H 3-chlorophenyl H 1.246 OCH₃ H 3-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.247 OCH₃ H 3-nitrophenyl H 1.248 OCH₃ H 3-methylphenyl H 1.249 OCH₃ H 3-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.250 OCH₃ H 3-cyanophenyl H 1.251 OCH₃ H 4-fluorophenyl H 1.252 OCH₃ H 4-chlorophenyl H 1.253 OCH₃ H 4-bromophenyl H 1.254 OCH₃ H 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl H 1.255 OCH₃ H 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.256 OCH₃ H 2-chloro-4-chlorophenyl H 1.257 OCH₃ H 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl H 1.258 OCH₃ H 4-trifluoromethylphenyl H 1.259 OCH₃ H 4-nitrophenyl H 1.260 OCH₃ H 4-nnethylphenyl H 1.261 OCH₃ H 4-methylsulfonylphenyl H 1.262 OCH₃ H 4-cyanophenyl H

TABLE 2 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 3 covers 262 comopunds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 4 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 5 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 6 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 7 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 8 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 9 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 10 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 11 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 12 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 13 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 14 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 15 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 16 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 17 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 18 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 19 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 20 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 21 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 22 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 23 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 24 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 25 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 26 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 27 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 28 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 29 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 30 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 31 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 32 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 33 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 34 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 35 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 36 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 37 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 38 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 39 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 40 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 41 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 42 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 43 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 44 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 45 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 46 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 47 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 48 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 49 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 50 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 51 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 52 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 53 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

In

TABLE 54 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 55 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R^(1,) R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 56 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 57 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 58 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 59 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 60 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 61 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 62 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 63 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 64 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 65 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 66 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 67 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 68 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 69 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 70 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 71 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 72 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

Table 73 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 74 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 75 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 76 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 77 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 78 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 79 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 80 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 81 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 82 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 83 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 84 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 85 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 86 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 87 covers 262 compounds of the following type

  where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 88 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

  where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 89 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 90 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 91 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 92 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 93 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 94 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 95 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 96 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 97 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 98 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 99 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 100 covers 262 compounds of the following type:

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are all hydrogen, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 101 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁷ is methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

TABLE 102 covers 262 compounds of the following type

where G and R⁵, R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogen, R⁶ and R⁷ are methyl and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as described in Table 1.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example A

Seeds of a variety of test species were sown in standard soil in pots. After cultivation for one day (pre-emergence) or after 10 days cultivation (post-emergence) under controlled conditions in a glasshouse, the plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray solution derived from the formulation of the technical active ingredient in 0.6 ml acetone and 45 ml formulation solution containing 10.6% Emulsogen EL (Registry number 61791-12-6), 42.2% N-methylpyrrolidone, 42.2% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (Registry number 34590-94-8) and 0.2% X-77 (Registry number 11097-66-8). The test plants were then grown in a greenhouse under optimum conditions until, 14 or 15 days later for post-emergence and 19 or 20 days for pre-emergence, the test was evaluated (100=total damage to plant; 0=no damage to plant).

Test Plants:

Alopecurus myosuroides (ALOMY), Avena fatua (AVEFA), Lolium perenne (LOLPE), Setaria faberi (SETFA), Digitaria sanguinalis (DIGSA), Echinochloa crus-galli (ECHCG)

Pre-Emergence Activity

Compound Rate Number g/ha ALOMY AVEFA LOLPE SETFA DIGSA ECHCG T1 500 100 90 100 70 100 80 T2 500 70 10 90 70 80 70

Post-Emergence Activity

Compound Rate Number g/ha ALOMY AVEFA LOLPE SETFA DIGSA ECHCG T1 125 100 90 100 70 100 100 T2 125 80 40 20 100 100 100 T4 250 100 90 100 90 90 100 T5 250 100 80 100 30 50 80 T8 250 100 90 100 100 80 100 P5 250 100 100 100 80 70 100

Example B

Seeds of a variety of test species were sown in standard soil in pots. After cultivation for one day (pre-emergence) or after 8 days cultivation (post-emergence) under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16° C., day/night; 14 hours light; 65% humidity), the plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray solution derived from the formulation of the technical active ingredient in acetone/water (50:50) solution containing 0.5% Tween 20 (polyoxyethelyene sorbitan monolaurate, CAS RN 9005-64-5).

The test plants were then grown in a glasshouse under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16° C., day/night; 14 hours light; 65% humidity) and watered twice daily. After 13 days for pre and post-emergence, the test was evaluated (100=total damage to plant; 0=no damage to plant).

Test Plants:

Lolium perenne (LOLPE), Alopecurus myosuroides (ALOMY), Echinochloa crus-galli (ECHCG), Avena fatua (AVEFA)

Pre-Emergence Activity

Compound Rate Number g/ha LOLPE ALOMY ECHCG AVEFA T3 250 60 50 20 50 T4 250 100 100 100 90 T5 250 100 100 100 80 T7 250 80 70 100 50 T8 250 100 100 100 100 T9 250 60 20 20 0 T10 250 90 70 70 40 T11 250 70 30 20 0 T12 250 100 100 100 100 T13 250 30 30 10 0 T14 250 100 100 100 100 T15 250 100 70 100 100 T16 250 100 100 100 80 T17 250 100 100 100 100 T18 250 100 100 100 70 T21 250 100 100 90 70 T22 250 100 100 100 90 T23 250 100 100 100 100 T24 250 100 100 100 90 T26 250 100 70 100 60 T27 250 100 90 80 60 T29 250 100 70 90 50 T30 250 90 60 80 30 T31 250 90 80 80 90 T32 250 100 70 100 90 T33 250 90 60 90 50 T34 250 90 70 100 70 T35 250 70 30 40 10 T36 250 90 90 100 90 T37 250 100 100 100 90 T38 250 70 90 100 40 T39 250 100 100 100 100 T40 250 100 100 100 80 T41 250 90 70 100 90 T42 250 0 0 20 0 T43 250 100 80 100 100 T44 250 100 90 60 20 T46 250 10 50 10 10 T47 250 60 20 40 50 T48 250 90 90 100 90 T50 250 100 100 100 100 T51 250 100 80 80 90 T52 250 100 100 80 80 T53 250 40 30 0 0 T54 250 100 80 100 50 T55 250 100 80 90 60 T58 250 100 90 100 90 T59 250 100 90 100 90 T60 250 10 10 0 0 T61 250 90 70 90 80 T62 250 100 80 100 70 T63 250 100 70 100 90 T64 250 100 50 100 90 T65 250 80 70 100 80 T66 250 80 90 100 80 T67 250 100 90 100 90 T68 250 90 30 50 40 T69 250 10 0 20 10 T70 250 70 20 60 70 T71 250 30 20 10 20 T72 250 60 30 80 20 T73 250 80 40 80 80 T74 250 30 30 50 20 T75 250 80 30 70 70 T76 250 60 30 60 20 T77 250 0 0 0 0 T78 250 30 20 30 0 T79 250 90 60 60 20 T80 250 100 70 70 70 T81 250 80 80 60 80 T82 250 90 50 60 50 T83 250 90 60 90 70 T84 250 90 50 60 50 T85 250 60 60 30 20 T86 250 100 60 50 30 T87 250 100 90 60 90 T88 250 100 90 80 90 T89 250 70 50 60 10 T90 250 60 40 50 60 T91 250 70 20 60 40 T92 250 30 30 40 10 T93 250 90 60 90 60 T94 250 90 90 80 90 T95 250 100 90 60 90 T96 250 60 20 20 10 T97 250 70 30 60 30 T98 250 90 70 90 80 T99 250 60 20 60 30 T100 250 90 60 70 60 T101 250 50 20 50 30 T102 250 70 50 50 30 T103 250 30 30 10 20 T104 250 70 60 90 60 T105 250 60 20 40 30 T106 250 20 20 20 30 T107 250 70 80 70 60 T108 250 50 10 60 40 T109 250 0 0 0 0 T110 250 50 30 70 30 T111 250 90 40 80 40 T112 250 50 40 30 20 T113 250 70 60 90 70 T114 250 40 50 60 20 T118 250 40 40 30 20 T119 250 80 40 100 30 T120 250 20 30 30 10 T121 250 80 30 90 60 T122 250 50 20 70 20 T123 250 60 60 60 60 T124 250 20 20 30 10 T126 250 60 30 50 40 T128 250 50 70 60 40 T130 250 100 70 30 10 T131 250 90 70 100 70 T132 250 70 20 90 70 T135 250 40 0 60 30 T138 250 90 80 90 70 T139 250 80 70 90 60 T140 250 70 60 90 50 T141 250 80 80 80 80 T142 250 70 90 90 80 T143 250 100 80 100 50 T144 250 70 80 90 70 T145 250 50 60 20 30 T146 250 90 70 70 50 T147 250 30 50 40 10 T148 250 50 70 30 40 T149 250 20 30 30 10 T151 250 30 20 40 10 T156 250 100 80 100 70 T157 250 10 10 40 0 T158 250 90 80 100 70 T159 250 70 50 100 30 T160 250 90 30 70 40 T161 250 90 30 100 60 T162 250 70 40 50 50 T163 250 80 50 60 60 P5 250 100 100 100 80 P7 250 100 100 100 90 P9 250 40 30 20 0 P11 250 100 100 100 100 P13 250 100 100 100 90 P14 250 100 100 100 80 P15 250 100 100 100 90 P16 250 100 100 100 90 P17 250 100 100 90 90 P18 250 100 100 90 80 P20 250 100 100 80 90 P23 250 100 100 100 80 P24 250 100 100 90 90 P25 250 90 100 90 80 P26 250 100 100 90 80 P27 250 100 100 80 80 P28 250 100 70 20 30 P29 250 90 50 0 20 P30 250 100 100 80 90 P31 250 100 100 100 90 P34 250 100 90 100 90 P37 250 100 100 70 70 P42 250 40 30 30 0 P43 250 100 100 100 100 P44 250 100 100 100 90 P45 250 100 100 100 100 P46 250 90 70 100 60 P47 250 60 30 60 50 P48 250 80 70 40 60 P49 250 100 80 100 60 P50 250 100 100 100 100 P51 250 100 100 100 100 P53 250 100 60 90 70 P54 250 100 80 100 70 P55 250 100 100 100 90 P56 250 100 100 100 90 P57 250 60 50 30 70 P58 250 80 70 80 70 P59 250 80 50 70 30 P60 250 80 30 50 0 P61 250 90 50 80 30 P63 250 70 50 70 40 P64 250 80 70 80 70 P65 250 90 60 80 60 P67 250 100 80 90 90 P68 250 100 90 100 90 P71 250 100 90 100 100

Post-Emergence Activity

Compound Rate Number g/ha LOLPE ALOMY ECHCG AVEFA T3 250 70 40 70 70 T4 250 100 100 100 100 T5 250 100 100 100 90 T6 250 10 20 10 0 T7 250 80 100 90 90 T8 250 100 100 100 100 T9 250 80 60 80 30 T10 250 70 70 80 80 T11 250 50 60 70 30 T12 250 100 100 100 100 T13 250 30 10 40 0 T14 250 100 100 100 100 T15 250 100 100 100 100 T16 250 100 100 100 100 T17 250 100 90 100 100 T18 250 100 80 90 70 T21 250 90 90 80 90 T22 250 100 90 100 100 T23 250 100 90 100 100 T24 250 100 90 100 100 T26 250 80 60 60 70 T27 250 80 70 80 70 T29 250 90 70 80 60 T30 250 80 80 80 70 T31 250 70 90 80 90 T32 250 90 90 90 90 T33 250 60 60 60 70 T34 250 90 90 100 100 T35 250 70 70 70 60 T36 250 80 80 90 90 T37 250 100 90 100 100 T38 250 100 100 100 100 T39 250 100 90 100 100 T40 250 100 80 100 90 T41 250 100 100 100 100 T42 250 20 0 30 0 T43 250 100 90 80 90 T44 250 70 60 80 40 T46 250 40 60 60 50 T47 250 30 30 60 50 T48 250 70 90 100 90 T50 250 100 100 100 100 T51 250 60 70 70 80 T52 250 90 90 100 80 T54 250 70 80 80 80 T55 250 60 70 70 50 T58 250 90 100 100 90 T59 250 100 90 90 100 T60 250 20 30 10 10 T61 250 90 90 100 100 T62 250 90 90 100 100 T63 250 90 90 90 100 T64 250 90 90 100 100 T65 250 90 90 100 100 T66 250 60 90 100 90 T67 250 100 90 100 100 T68 250 90 60 90 90 T69 250 30 30 20 30 T70 250 80 70 80 100 T71 250 40 30 70 80 T72 250 80 50 90 80 T73 250 80 90 90 100 T74 250 40 70 100 90 T75 250 100 90 90 100 T76 250 40 90 90 100 T77 250 40 30 20 40 T78 250 50 40 70 40 T79 250 60 60 70 80 T80 250 90 90 80 100 T81 250 90 90 80 100 T82 250 90 90 80 100 T83 250 90 80 70 100 T84 250 100 90 90 100 T85 250 90 90 80 90 T86 250 70 40 80 80 T87 250 90 70 70 90 T88 250 90 90 90 100 T89 250 40 30 40 20 T90 250 80 70 80 100 T91 250 50 40 50 90 T92 250 20 30 40 60 T93 250 70 60 60 70 T94 250 90 100 90 100 T95 250 100 90 70 100 T96 250 60 60 40 40 T97 250 60 70 80 70 T98 250 100 100 90 100 T99 250 50 70 90 90 T100 250 80 90 60 90 T101 250 40 40 20 40 T102 250 80 90 40 90 T103 250 50 50 30 60 T104 250 80 70 70 90 T105 250 50 30 30 40 T106 250 30 40 30 10 T107 250 90 70 60 90 T108 250 70 70 40 70 T110 250 50 30 40 80 T111 250 80 80 70 90 T112 250 30 40 30 30 T113 250 100 90 70 100 T114 250 50 40 30 40 T116 250 90 60 50 90 T118 250 30 60 40 80 T119 250 90 90 90 80 T120 250 30 30 10 20 T121 250 90 80 80 100 T122 250 80 60 70 30 T123 250 70 80 60 90 T124 250 20 30 20 30 T126 250 70 50 60 70 T127 250 20 20 20 10 T128 250 50 40 50 90 T130 250 90 60 60 70 T131 250 100 90 90 90 T132 250 70 70 100 80 T133 250 0 20 90 30 T135 250 70 80 90 80 T136 250 30 50 60 70 T138 250 90 90 70 90 T139 250 90 90 100 90 T140 250 90 90 90 60 T141 250 70 80 60 90 T142 250 70 90 60 90 T143 250 60 60 60 80 T144 250 80 80 80 90 T145 250 40 60 30 50 T146 250 80 80 70 90 T147 250 40 60 50 70 T148 250 70 80 60 100 T149 250 40 30 20 40 T151 250 20 30 40 10 T152 250 30 20 10 10 T153 250 20 10 10 20 T156 250 100 90 70 90 T157 250 30 30 60 50 T158 250 100 100 100 100 T159 250 100 90 100 90 T160 250 100 40 70 60 T161 250 100 70 90 90 T162 250 90 60 70 80 T163 250 100 90 90 100 P4 250 30 60 20 40 P5 250 100 100 100 90 P7 250 100 100 90 80 P9 250 40 30 50 10 P11 250 100 90 100 90 P13 250 100 90 100 90 P14 250 100 90 90 90 P15 250 100 100 100 90 P16 250 100 100 100 100 P17 250 100 100 100 90 P18 250 100 90 90 90 P20 250 100 100 100 90 P23 250 100 90 90 90 P24 250 100 90 90 90 P25 250 100 90 100 90 P26 250 100 100 100 90 P27 250 100 80 90 80 P28 250 100 70 60 70 P29 250 100 80 30 70 P30 250 100 100 90 100 P31 250 100 90 100 90 P34 250 100 80 60 90 P37 250 90 90 90 90 P42 250 40 60 70 70 P43 250 100 100 100 90 P44 250 100 100 100 100 P45 250 100 100 90 100 P46 250 80 90 70 90 P47 250 60 70 50 60 P48 250 90 90 90 100 P49 250 100 80 100 90 P50 250 100 100 100 100 P51 250 100 100 100 100 P53 250 20 60 70 40 P54 250 40 70 80 50 P55 250 100 90 100 100 P56 250 100 90 90 100 P57 250 60 80 70 80 P58 250 90 90 70 90 P59 250 80 90 70 80 P60 250 70 80 40 80 P61 250 90 90 90 90 P62 250 80 70 70 70 P63 250 80 90 70 90 P64 250 90 100 90 100 P65 250 90 90 90 90 P67 250 100 100 100 100 P68 250 100 90 100 90 P69 250 40 0 80 20 P71 250 100 100 100 90

Example C

Seeds of the Winter Wheat variety ‘Hereward’ were sown in standard soil in pots. After 8 days cultivation under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16° C., day/night; 14 hours light; 65% humidity), the plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray solution derived from the formulation of the technical active ingredient in acetone/water (50:50) solution containing 0.5% Tween 20 (polyoxyethelyene sorbitan monolaurate, CAS RN 9005-64-5).

Seeds of the Winter Wheat variety ‘Hereward’ were seed treated with a wettable powder formulation of the cereal herbicide safener, cloquintocet mexyl, at a rate of 0.5 grams per kilogram of dry seed prior to the initiation of glasshouse testing. One seed was sown per 1.5 inch plastic pot into a sandy loam soil at a depth of 1 cm, 8 days prior to application of the test compounds and was watered and grown under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16° C., day/night; 14 hours light; 65% humidity). The plants were sprayed Post-emergence with an aqueous spray solution derived from the formulation of the technical active ingredient in acetone/water (50:50) solution containing 0.5% Tween 20 (polyoxyethelyene sorbitan monolaurate, CAS RN 9005-64-5).

The test plants were then grown in a glasshouse under controlled conditions in a glasshouse (at 24/16° C., day/night; 14 hours light; 65% humidity) and watered twice daily. After 13 days for pre and post-emergence, the test was evaluated (100=total damage to plant; 0=no damage to plant).

Winter Wheat (Hereward) + Compound Rate Winter Wheat cloquintocet Number g/ha (Hereward) mexyl T4 250 70 40 T5 250 80 20 T8 250 90 80 T10 250 60 20 T12 250 70 60 T14 250 80 60 T16 250 80 20 T17 250 70 50 T22 250 80 70 T37 250 80 70 T39 250 80 70 T40 250 60 10 T41 250 90 80 T62 250 80 70 T64 250 80 70 T66 250 50 20 T67 250 70 30 T75 250 60 50 T84 250 70 60 T88 250 70 50 T98 250 90 60 P5 250 60 30 P7 250 70 0 P11 250 80 70 P13 250 70 10 P16 250 70 0 P17 250 70 0 P20 250 40 0 P43 250 50 40 P44 250 70 40 P56 250 90 60 

1. A compound of formula I

wherein: R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, halomethyl, haloethyl, halogen, vinyl, ethynyl, methoxy, ethoxy, halomethoxy, haloethoxy, cyclopropyl or halocyclopropyl, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl or cyano; R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl, phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or benzyl or benzyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or C₃-C₆cycloalkylC₁-C₃alkyl in which a ring or chain methylene group is optionally replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom; or R⁶ and R⁷ or R⁸ and R⁹ together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered ring, optionally containing an oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atom; wherein the optional substituents on the ring are present when the ring formed by R⁶ and R⁷ or R⁸ and R⁹ is a substituted heterocyclyl group, in which case the one or more substituents are independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, nitro and cyano; or R⁵ and R⁶ together form a bond; Q is C₃-C₈ saturated or mono-unsaturated heterocyclyl containing at least one heteroatom selected from O, N and S, unsubstituted or substituted by a residue of formula ═O, ═N—R¹⁰ or C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxyC₁-C₂alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; where R¹⁰ is C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl; m is 1, 2 or 3; where R⁶ or R⁷ can have different meanings when m is 2 or 3; and G is hydrogen or an agriculturally acceptable metal, sulfonium, ammonium or latentiating group; wherein, when G is a latentiating group then G is selected from the groups C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkyl, phenylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₈alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈ alkynyl, C(X^(a))—R^(a), C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), C(X^(d))—N(R^(c))—R^(d), —SO₂—R^(e), —P(X^(e))(R^(f))—R^(g) and CH₂—X^(f)—R^(h); wherein: X^(a), X^(b), X^(c), X^(d), X^(e) and X^(f) are independently of each other oxygen or sulfur; R^(a) is H, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₂-C₁₈alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynylC₁-C₅oxyalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; R^(b) is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkynyl, C₂-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₃-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; and R^(c) and R^(d) are each independently of each other hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₃-C₁₀alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀alkynyl, C₂-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₂-C₅alkylaminoalkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; diphenylamino or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino or C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy; or R^(c) and R^(d) may join together to form a 3-7 membered ring, optionally containing one heteroatom selected from O or S; and R^(e) is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; diphenylamino or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, diC₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₅alkylamino or C₂-C₈dialkylamino; R^(f) and R^(g) are are each independently of each other C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₂-C₅alkylaminoalkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, or by nitro), C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; heteroarylamino or heteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; diheteroarylamino or diheteroarylamino substituted by C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; phenylamino or phenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; diphenylamino or diphenylamino substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; or C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, diC₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₅alkylamino or C₂-C₈dialkylamino; or benzyloxy or phenoxy, wherein the benzyl and phenyl groups may in turn be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; and R^(h) is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₃-C₁₀alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀alkynyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₅alkynyloxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthioC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfinylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneaminoxyC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonylC₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, N—C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-N—C₁-C₅alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilylC₁-C₅alkyl, phenylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroarylC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), phenoxyC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), heteroaryloxyC₁-C₅alkyl (wherein the heteroaryl is optionally substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₃ alkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or by nitro), C₃-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen or by nitro; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano or by nitro; and wherein: the term “heteroaryl” means an aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom and consisting either of a single ring or of two fused rings.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein: haloalkyl groups are CF₃, CF₂Cl, CF₂H, CCl₂H, FCH₂, ClCH₂, BrCH₂, CH₃CHF, CF₃CH₂ or CHF₂CH₂; the term “heteroaryl” means an aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom and consisting either of a single ring or of two fused rings; wherein a single ring contains up to three heteroatoms chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and a bicyclic system contains up to four heteroatoms chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; and the term “heterocyclyl” means a non-aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic ring system containing up to 8 atoms including at least one heteroatom selected from O, S and N.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is methyl, ethyl or methoxy.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, cyano, nitro, halogen or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl.
 5. A compound according to claim 4, wherein R² and R³ are independently hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, methyl, methoxy, ethyl, ethoxy, ethenyl, ethynyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted by methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, fluorine, chlorine or methylsulfonyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² and R³ are independently thienyl; thienyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; furyl; furyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; pyrazolyl; pyrazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; thiazolyl; thiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; isothiazolyl; isothiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; isoxazolyl; isoxazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; triazolyl; triazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; oxadiazolyl; oxadiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; thiadiazolyl; thiadiazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; tetrazolyl; tetrazolyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; pyridyl; pyridyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; pyrimidinyl; pyrimidinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; pyridazinyl; pyridazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; pyrazinyl or pyrazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or triazinyl or triazinyl substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, halomethyl, haloethyl, halogen, vinyl, ethynyl, methoxy, ethoxy, halomethoxy or haloethoxy.
 9. A compound according to claim 8, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, chlorine, bromine, ethenyl, ethynyl, methoxy or ethoxy.
 10. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy.
 11. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy.
 12. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁸ and R⁹ independently are hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy.
 13. A compound according to claim 1, wherein: R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl; R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogen or methyl; and R⁸ and R⁹ independently are hydrogen or methyl.
 14. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Q is selected from those of the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₂-C₆haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₃-C₆alkoxysulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkoxysulfonyl, cyano, nitro, phenyl; phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; or heteroaryl or heteroaryl substituted by C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl, C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, halogen, C₁-C₃alkylthio, C₁-C₃alkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₃alkylsulfonyl; R′ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylsulfonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylcarbonyl, C₆-C₁₀arylaminocarbonyl, C₇-C₁₆arylalkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylsulfonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylcarbonyl, C₁-C₉hetarylaminocarbonyl, or C₂-C₁₅hetarylalkylaminocarbonyl; R″ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl, C₂-C₈dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl or C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl; n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and A denotes the position of attachment to the —(CR⁶R⁷)_(m)— moiety.
 15. A compound according to claim 14, wherein Q is selected from groups Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, Q₆, Q₇, Q₂₅, Q₂₆, Q₂₇, Q₂₈, Q₂₉, Q₈₆, Q₈₇, Q₈₈, Q₈₉, or Q₉₀.
 16. A compound according to claim 15, wherein Q is selected from groups Q₁ to Q₇.
 17. A compound according to claim 14, wherein R and R′ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄haloalkoxy; and R″ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄haloalkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkylcarbonyl.
 18. A compound according to claim 14, wherein n is 0, 1 or
 2. 19. A compound according to claim 1, wherein m is
 1. 20. A compound according to claim 1, wherein, when G is a latentiating group then G is a group —C(X^(a))—R^(a) or —C(X^(b))—X^(c)—R^(b), wherein the meanings of X^(a), R^(a), X^(b), X^(c) and R^(b) are as defined in claim
 1. 21. A compound according to claim 1, wherein G is hydrogen, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.
 22. A herbicidal composition, which, in addition to comprising formulation adjuvants, comprises a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined in claim
 1. 23. A combination comprising a compound of formula (I), as defined in claim 1, and a further herbicide.
 24. A method of controlling grasses and weeds in crops of useful plants, which comprises applying a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, or of a composition comprising such a compound, to the plants or to the locus thereof.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the composition is used, and wherein the crops of useful plants are cereals, rice, corn, rape, sugarbeet, sugarcane, soybean, cotton, sunflower, peanut or plantation crops. 